MCKINZIE’s $1.2 million yearling Baeza made his first trip to the winner’s circle on Friday when the half-brother to two classic winners won a Santa Anita Maiden Special Weight.
Making his second start on dirt going one mile, Baeza was ready to better that runner up appearance here. He started showing his talent early while shadowing the leader and waiting for his turn to pounce.
That chance came in the far turn when the longtime pacesetter started to fade, and it was easy going from there. Baeza quickly took control and had little competition in the stretch, winning by 4 ¾ lengths.
Racing for CRK Stable and Grandview Equine, with Grandview also breeding the colt, trainer John Shirreffs says a Kentucky Derby (G1) prep race may be the next step.
“We hope so,” Shirreffs told Thoroughbred Daily News. “It’s that time of year where you try those things. We’ll see how he comes out. I’ll talk with [owner Lee Searing] and we’ll make a decision.”
#5 BAEZA ($6.40), the half brother to MAGE and DORNOCH, breaks his maiden in the 6th race at @santaanitapark.
The three-year-old colt by McKinzie (@Gainesway) was ridden by @HIBerrios for trainer John Shirreffs. pic.twitter.com/p1zRmv5Sc1
— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) February 14, 2025
Purchased by Mayberry Farm for Baeza’s racing owners at the 2023 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, the colt topped the third session when sold for $1.2 million from the Runnymede Farm consignment.
An already impressive page that boasted that year’s Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Mage on it, it improved in 2024 when Dornoch (G1) won the Belmont Stakes (G1). That duo are two of the four winners out of stakes winner and Grade 2-placed Puca, whose third winner is the stakes placed Gunning.
Puca is a half-sister to Grade 1 winner Finnegan’s Wake and out of stakes placed Boat’s Ghost, who also produced five winners overall. Four of Baeza’s first five dams have all produced stakes performers.
This is the 27th winner for MCKINZIE, who has two Grade 1 winners and eight stakes performers overall to his name. His number of stakes winners, stakes performer, and Grade 1 winners and performers leads all second crop sires.