Having won the Kentucky Derby (G1) in 2005 with Giacomo and campaigning Zenyatta through one of racing's most magical careers, John Shirreffs has experienced many of racing's highs. Yet, Baeza's breakthrough victory Sept. 20 at Parx Racing in the $1 million Pennsylvania Derby (G1) will be counted among his most satisfying and exciting triumphs.
"Today was one of the most exciting races I've participated in, to tell you the truth," Shirreffs said. "Just because of all the hope and everything we had for Baeza, all that build-up. Working at the barn, working with him, and being in the Belmont and the Kentucky Derby, it was just like this is it today."
C R K Stable and Grandview Equine's Baeza drew praise throughout the spring as one of the top 3-year-olds in America thanks to his strong performances against classic winners Sovereignty and Journalism, but was always the bridesmaid to one of those two—or both—in four straight starts. With their absence Saturday, the pressure was on to finally earn a first victory against winners, not to mention at the grade 1 level.
"This was a prove-it day," Shirreffs said. "He did."
Baeza's proof of talent came to fruition through a fantastic ride by jockey Hector Berrios, who has ridden the McKinzie colt in five of his eight starts. Breaking toward the rear of the 10-horse field, Berrios urged Baeza to stay attached to the back of the group and not fall too far behind.
Gradually moving up down the backside as So Sandy set fractions of :23.01, :46.63, and 1:10.51, Berrios called upon Baeza at the three-eighths pole and immediately got a response.
"Once he responded and I saw the other horses, I said 'It's our win. Our race,'" Berrios said.
Baeza cruised into contention and approached the new leader, Goal Oriented, at the quarter pole before moving away in the stretch. Although racing on his left lead until the eighth pole, victory was never in doubt as he hit the line 2 1/4 lengths clear of a closing Magnitude. Goal Oriented held for third.
Baeza completed 1 1/8 miles in 1:48.03 and paid $4.80 to win as the favorite. All-sources handle came in at $17.8 million, second highest in track history behind the $18.8 million that was wagered on the 2022 Pennsylvania Derby card.
Shirreffs has seen great improvement in the colt's maturity since the start of the year.
"Today was a big day for him," said Shirreffs, who never left the colt's side in the paddock. "He's really shown great signs of maturity.
"When he went to the Kentucky Derby, he was never exposed to anything. He'd run at home. The Kentucky Derby was a little bit of a bright-eyed thing, eyes pop open type feel for him. He was a little upset after the Kentucky Derby. It took him a while to refocus, calm down, everything. Now it's like he can handle the races and not have the downtime."
Berrios, who did not ride Baeza in the Triple Crown, felt that same improvement, saying that Baeza remained more focused and can still improve even more.
"He's a late foal, and John is the perfect trainer," said Lee Searing of C R K Stable. "With this kind of horse, you've got to be really patient, and he was. When it was time to run, he ran three really good races against that big boy (Sovereignty), and he was just getting stronger. I don't care who we run against; this horse is right there. If he's not equal to them, he's right there."
Shirreffs had a big smile on his face when discussing his hopes for a 4-year-old campaign. He was also eager for another shot at Sovereignty, who was the winner in Baeza's previous three starts.
"I always look forward to a shot at Sovereignty," Shirreffs said. "We were one length (behind in the Jim Dandy Stakes), maybe we can make it up."
Shirreffs wouldn't commit to that rematch coming in the $7 million Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) at Del Mar Nov. 1, saying he'd have to talk with Searing about next-race plans. However, it would be a logical place to run given the horse is based in Southern California. Baeza will head home Sept. 23 while Shirreffs was off to the airport after the race, needing to make his flight within an hour of victory.
"It'll be a great ride home," Shirreffs said. "Could you imagine the other ride home?"
Puca Produces Third Straight Grade 1 Winner
Baeza's victory was also a monumental one for his dam, Puca. The Big Brown mare has now produced three consecutive grade 1-winning foals after Mage won the 2023 Kentucky Derby and Dornoch won the 2024 Belmont Stakes (G1) and Haskell Stakes (G1).
All three colts were bred in Kentucky by Robert Clay's Grandview Equine, who co-owns Baeza. The star broodmare, who was named 2024 Broodmare of the Year by the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association, is set to be offered by John Stewart's Resolute Racing at Fasig-Tipton's The November Sale in Lexington Nov. 3. Grandview sold the mare at the 2023 Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale to Resolute for $2.9 million.
Baeza earned his sire, four-time grade 1 winner McKinzie, his second grade 1 of the year after Scottish Lassie won the Coaching Club American Oaks Invitational Stakes (G1) in July. Overall, he is the third graded stakes winner for the stallion this year and third grade 1 winner from the stallion's first crop.
McKinzie, who won the Pennsylvania Derby in 2018, stood the 2025 breeding season for $75,000 at Gainesway.
