Born November 1, 1957, Baker grew up on Long Island working for his father George Baker who trained there for 20 years. In addition, he had the opportunity to work for Frank & David Whitely and Shug McGaughey. Shug helped him get started as a trainer in 1990. Baker has been training since then and has trained for the Kleins, George Steinbrenner, Greentree Stable, and Brereton Jones among others over the years.