Kentucky-bred Baeza scored the biggest win of his career with a decisive victory in the $1 million Pennsylvania Derby (G1) at PARX Racing on Saturday, Sept. 20.

Owned by C R K Stable LLC and Grandview Equine, Baeza was reserved early, settling in eighth position in the 1 1/8-mile test. Ridden by Hector Berrios, Baeza advanced steadily on the leaders down the backstretch and made a four-wide move at the quarter pole. He hit the front in the lane and quickly drew clear past the furlong marker. Baeza proved much the best as the race favorite, scoring by 2 ¼ lengths over Magnitude at the wire. He covered the distance in 1:48.03.

“All the connections would like to run [in the Breeders’ Cup Classic],” winning trainer John Shirreffs told Daily Racing Form. “It’s going to depend on how Baeza is. After a race, you have to see how well the horse recovers mentally, puts back on his weight, how much it takes out of him.”

Baeza is third G1 winner out of Puca

By McKinzie and out of the Big Brown mare Puca, Baeza is a sibling to Grade 1 winners Mage and Dornoch. With the win, Baeza has now won two races and banked $1,503,500 from eight lifetime starts. In addition to his Pennsylvania Derby triumph, Baeza finished second in the Santa Anita Derby (G1), third in the Kentucky Derby (G1), third in the Belmont S. (G1), and second in the Jim Dandy S. (G2). He was bred in Kentucky by co-owner Grandview Equine.

“Today was one of the most exciting races I have ever participated in, to tell you the truth,” Shirreffs said. “And that includes races with [2010 Horse of the Year] Zenyatta. This was like, ‘Prove yourself today.’ And he did. This was very gratifying. We have been close in some big races and today he put it all together.”