Rusell Baze is surrounded by fellow riders as he receives the Woolf Award.
Hall of Fame jockey Russell Baze received the George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award Friday at Santa Anita.The award, presented for the 53rd time, recognizes both riding achievements and personal character. Four jockeys were nominated by the Jockeys Guild and Santa Anita Park and jockeys across the country selected the Baze by vote. The award is named in honor of George Woolf, who died after falling from a horse at Santa Anita in 1946.While at Santa Anita, Northern California's leading jockey also visited the winners' circle following the second race, when he and Sempai won in front-running style.Baze, 43, has won 7,732 career races, which ranks fourth nationally.The Woolf Award was won last year by Dean Kutz. Previous winners include Eddie Arcaro, Jerry Bailey, Angel Cordero Jr., Pat Day, Eddie Delahoussaye, Chris McCarron, Laffit Pincay Jr., Bill Shoemaker, and Gary Stevens.
