[bigboydan]

I wonder if PETA will protest this one at all.

Winningest jockey Baze suspended for whipping injured horse

SAN MATEO, Calif. -- Russell Baze, the winningest jockey in thoroughbred racing history, was suspended for 15 days and fined on Sunday for using his whip on an injured horse who later died.

Baze, who has 9,826 career victories, was headed to an easy win aboard Imperial Eyes in the first race Thursday at Bay Meadows when the horse took a bad step and broke down in the deep stretch. According to a Bay Meadows spokesman, Baze urged Imperial Eyes forward after the horse recovered from the initial bad step, using his whip twice.

Imperial Eyes still finished second, but had a broken bone in his left front leg. The 4-year-old gelding was euthanized after going into distress while his handlers contemplated surgery.

Though Imperial Eyes' trainer said he didn't blame Baze for the horse's death, saying Baze couldn't have known the extent of the horse's injury, the Hall of Fame jockey was repentant.

"I'm not going to try to defend what I did," said Baze, who rode two winners at his home track Sunday. "There is no way to defend it. I made a bad decision in the heat of the moment, and I am truly sorry. ... Hopefully, this will not be the defining moment of my career. Hopefully, I'll be judged on the right decisions I've made in the past and on the right decisions I'll make in the future."

Bay Meadows' board of stewards held a hearing on Baze's conduct Saturday and fined him $2,500 and suspended him from Sept. 2-16. Baze will miss 11 race programs.

The 49-year-old Baze broke Laffit Pincay Jr.'s record for career victories on Dec. 1, 2006, winning his 9,531st race aboard Butterfly Belle at Bay Meadows.

In June, a veteran jockey who kicked his horse in the stomach before a race was suspended for 30 days and fined $1,000 by Philadelphia Park officials. Victor Molina said the feisty horse flipped in the starting gate and his head struck the jockey flush in the chest. Molina's chest went numb and he lost his cool.

[ritehook]

Put this guy on trial with Vick.

He probably eats horseburgers at the track cafe.

[imgv94]

Judge 4 yourselves..

http://www.calracing.com/replays.php

Thursday 8.23.07 Bay Meadows Race 1


I think people are making too much of a fuss.. How did he know the horse broke a leg instead of making a bad step?

[Seattle Slew]

I agree 100 percent. I saw the race live, then watched the replay days later. I had the same thought. The horse looked like he took a bad step, or got spooked because he was in the clear 7 lengths.

You never know what can make a horse stop on a dime or duck in and out. Baze getting a bad deal on this one, but accepting his punishment like a true pro and admitting fault when he has a case to fight it.

Judge 4 yourselves..

http://www.calracing.com/replays.php

Thursday 8.23.07 Bay Meadows Race 1


I think people are making too much of a fuss.. How did he know the horse broke a leg instead of making a bad step?

[imgv94]

They should ease up on him 4 sure.

[Seattle Slew]

The bettors on the horse would have been screaming if Baze had pulled the horse up and it turned out he just took a bad step. No win situation for him.

[BrentCrude]

It's only legal and politically correct to use whips on guys and abuse animals by inserting them in dark holes where they shouldn't be in Frisco!When word gets out that Baze likes to be abusive with a whip he can quit his day job riding and get into some bondage business and I don't mean selling treasury bonds.Maybe they would go lighter on Baze if he would acquire a lisp and says he moved into a trendy loft in the tenderloin district if he appeales

Maybe during the 15 days off he can find a new track out of the state to ride at.

[BrentCrude]

It's only legal and politically correct to use whips on guys and abuse animals by inserting them in dark holes where they shouldn't be in Frisco!When word gets out that Baze likes to be abusive with a whip he can quit his day job riding and get into some bondage business and I don't mean selling treasury bonds.Maybe they would go lighter on Baze if he would acquire a lisp and says he moved into a trendy loft in the tenderloin district if he appeales

Maybe during the 15 days off he can find a new track out of the state to ride at.I just saw Tyler Baze ship in from California to ride a stakes race at ASSiniboia Downs in Winnipeg,Manitoba.Canada.Maybe could ride there.hehe!

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