The connections of Baeza had been holding out hope that their 3-year-old son of McKinzie would get an opportunity to run in the Kentucky Derby (G1), but the waiting game of seeing if a scratch would occur and allow him to draw in as an alternate drew on as Derby week progressed.
"It was not a fun few days there," said Robert Clay of Grandview Equine, who bred the colt and co-owns with C R K Stables. "We didn't know how it was going to go. It was a little nerve-wracking.
"We were on pins and needles. (Trainer) John (Shirreffs) and I sat here for about four hours yesterday (May 1) just trying to figure out what was going on."
Lee Searing of C R K Stables was hesitant to get on the plane from California until it was official that Baeza would run. The deadline to draw in was 9 a.m. ET May 2, but his children were able to convince him to board a flight Thursday afternoon.
"I said we're not coming until today (Friday) when the scratches are in," Searing said on the Churchill Downs backstretch Friday morning. "My kids decided, 'That's wrong dad. You're coming, let's go.' I relented and we got on the plane."
Perhaps Searing getting on the plane was all the racing gods required as, while the Searing family was in the air, Wood Memorial Stakes (G2) winner Rodriguez was withdrawn with a foot issue and Baeza drew into the starting gate.
READ: Rodriguez Scratched From Kentucky Derby
Luckily for Searing, he found out right away as his children were connected to the internet and reported the news as it broke.
"The horse deserves to be in," Searing said of the Santa Anita Derby (G1) runner-up. "I was hopeful. Now that we're here, we're excited."
"Now, we don't have to get nervous for the race," Clay said. "We'll let the horse do the talking."
As an also-eligible, Baeza will break from the far outside post position, a familiar region of the gate for C R K Stables in the Derby as Candy Boy and Honor A. P. also broke from the outer post positions in 2014 and 2020. Yet, both horses experienced troubled trips.
"This probably is the best chance we've had," Searing said. "This horse has a little more ability to stay closer up and stay out of trouble. All I've been in is trouble here in the Kentucky Derby. Maybe we stay out of trouble this time."
