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LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A 24-year-old jockey who rode this year’s
Kentucky Derby second-place finisher to his only win was found dead in
his vehicle Tuesday at Churchill Downs.</p>
Michael Baze of Glendora, Calif., was pronounced dead at 4:47 p.m.
EDT in his vehicle parked in the stable area of the track, Jefferson
County Deputy Coroner Jim Wesley said.</p>
There were no signs of foul play and the case was being treated as a
death investigation, Louisville police spokeswoman Alicia Smiley said.
An autopsy was planned.</p>
Baze was a cousin of Hall of Fame jockey Russell Baze, the all-time
leading rider in thoroughbred racing, and son of retired jockey Mike
Baze, Churchill Downs spokesman John Asher said. An uncle and another
cousin are also riders, Asher said.</p>
“Somebody coming out of that family, it always gets your attention when you see the Baze name,” Asher said.</p>
Michael Baze rode Nehro to a win Feb. 21 at Oaklawn. He was scheduled
on at least one mount on Thursday at Churchill Downs, Asher said.</p>
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LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A 24-year-old jockey who rode this year’s
Kentucky Derby second-place finisher to his only win was found dead in
his vehicle Tuesday at Churchill Downs.</p>
Michael Baze of Glendora, Calif., was pronounced dead at 4:47 p.m.
EDT in his vehicle parked in the stable area of the track, Jefferson
County Deputy Coroner Jim Wesley said.</p>
There were no signs of foul play and the case was being treated as a
death investigation, Louisville police spokeswoman Alicia Smiley said.
An autopsy was planned.</p>
Baze was a cousin of Hall of Fame jockey Russell Baze, the all-time
leading rider in thoroughbred racing, and son of retired jockey Mike
Baze, Churchill Downs spokesman John Asher said. An uncle and another
cousin are also riders, Asher said.</p>
“Somebody coming out of that family, it always gets your attention when you see the Baze name,” Asher said.</p>
Michael Baze rode Nehro to a win Feb. 21 at Oaklawn. He was scheduled
on at least one mount on Thursday at Churchill Downs, Asher said.</p>
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