Halfway through Saturday's fourth race at Del Mar, a mile $25,000 claimer on the main track, jockey Tyler Baze and his mount Pubilius Syrus, the 5-2 betting favorite, were 10 lengths behind and appeared destined for a distancing loss.
Three-quarters of the way through, they were still 7 1/2 lengths behind and were in front, by just a head, of only one rival in the field of seven.
However, in a turn of events that makes racing exciting, they sprinted past everyone in front of them in the last quarter and won by a neck.
“He (Pubilius Syrus) didn't want to run until he was ready, that's all I can say,” Baze said afterward. “I was ridin' and ridin' and he wasn't giving me nothing. Then all of a sudden he just turned on the afterburners and went. I thought, 'Finally, gosh he was making me work way too hard.'”
Carrying on the family tradition of his cousin Russell, who retired as North America's all-time leading jockey with 12,842 wins, Tyler was horsebacking at age 3 and riding professionally at 17. Baze, now 38, won an Eclipse Award as North America's top apprentice in 2000 and was a Southern California circuit regular until the storms, literal and figurative, at Santa Anita in 2019 prompted a move to the Midwest for the good of his business and family.
The venture was successful enough, even through the COVID-19 complications of 2020. But there was the desire to get back to Southern California and be with his family at their home near Santa Anita. And, at the end of summer came an opportunity to have respected horseman Jack Carava – who ended a 33-year training career – as his agent.
So, in September, Baze was back riding in Southern California with intentions of staying but more aware than ever of the uncertainties of life.
“You never know what's going to happen,” Baze said. “But California racing is good, my family's here and I'm happy to be home. Jack (Carava) is great. I'd ridden for him for 20 years and when he said he wanted to make a career change I jumped at the opportunity to work with him.”
Baze, of course, was delighted to get back to his wife and three children.
“Ages 3, 4 and 6 and they're only going to be kids once,” Baze said. “They're happy that I get to see them every day. They were missing daddy a lot.”
Like everyone else, 2020 has been a year of dealing with COVID for Baze. Initially on the Midwest circuit in Arkansas and Kentucky, lately in California.
“Everywhere you go the rules are different,” Baze said. “I just try to keep pretty isolated. There ain't no going shopping at the mall. My kids have pretty much stayed at home since it all started. It's crazy times and we're fortunate to be running (horse races).
“Everybody needs to do what they can to stay safe. Everybody needs to do their part.”
The win on Pubilius Syrus was No. 6 from 37 mounts at the meeting. He also has two seconds and three third-place finishes. “It's going well, can't complain,” Baze said.
It also was win No. 999 in the career of trainer Mark Glatt, who figures to notch milestone No. 1,000 during the Bing Crosby Season. The first opportunity comes in today's second race when Baze rides Win Like Coach P, 5-1 on the morning line.
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