Lee Searing likes to name horses for sport figures he admires. Often that derives from his beloved Los Angeles Lakers (Kobe's Back) or football (Theismann). His "now" horse, Baeza, who is coming into the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) on top of his game, was named for a racing figure, Hall of Fame jockey Braulio Baeza.
When Searing first began attending the races at Santa Anita Park as a youngster in 1956, the many great horses, jockeys, and trainers of that era made a lasting impression on him.
"One of the greatest that came out during the winter—he rode back East—was Braulio Baeza," Searing recalled. "He stood in the saddle probably better than any jockey that sat a horse. It always stayed with me. I don't know the man, but I saved that name for this horse."
Baeza the man piloted the great Buckpasser to win the 1966 Malibu Stakes and the 1967 San Fernando Stakes at Santa Anita, and he won the 1963 Santa Anita Handicap aboard Crozier. Baeza the horse broke his maiden at Santa Anita and nearly won the Santa Anita Derby (G1) in his stakes debut.
It was a terrific performance for an inexperienced horse who wouldn't actually turn 3 until May 13, 10 days after he finished third in the Kentucky Derby (G1).
"Knowing that I bought an expensive horse with a late birthdate, we knew it was going to take time," Searing said.
Searing paid $1.2 million for Baeza at the 2023 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. He and his wife, Susan, campaign him in the name of their C R K Stable, along with his breeder Grandview Equine.
With that late birthdate, Searing knew just the trainer for the son of McKinzie and Puca, the 2024 Kentucky Thoroughbred Association's Broodmare of the Year: John Shirreffs.
"I couldn't have given him to a better guy than John," Searing said. "John with a particular horse is as good as it gets. He's shown that with Zenyatta, he's shown it with Express Train, and so many more. Now he's got his turn with Baeza, and he's doing a great job."
C R K's Express Train was recently retired with earnings of $1,640,300. He won such races as the 2022 Santa Anita Handicap (G1), 2021 San Diego Handicap (G2), and two editions of the San Pasqual Stakes (G2). Searing said Express Train remains in Shirreffs' care, being let down after being gelded, and is going to become a riding horse.
The Searings are justifiably proud of the good homes they have found for many of their former racehorses.
"I'm so happy with the pictures I see of what some of these horses have been able to accomplish," Lee said. "Cherie DeVaux had a beautiful chestnut horse named Intent, and he's jumping at heights that would scare me."
Baeza's future is assured, especially after his dominant victory in the Sept. 20 Pennsylvania Derby (G1) and a good chance against an outstanding field in the Breeders' Cup Classic at Del Mar. Searing was thrilled after Baeza turned in a maintenance five-furlong workout of 1:01 3/5 at Santa Anita Oct. 25 that had plenty of people marveling at how well he looked.
"The way he did it and the way he galloped out, we couldn't be bringing a better horse into the race," Searing said. "We're very happy."
Baeza will face a Classic field that is set to include such familiar foes in Kentucky Derby-Belmont Stakes (G1) winner Sovereignty and Santa Anita Derby winner Journalism, as well as a phalanx of older runners. Sovereignty's status is now in doubt, however, after the dual classic winner spiked a mild fever Oct. 27, according to his trainer Bill Mott.
"I think everybody's got it right—with those older horses and the three younger horses, you've probably got the makings of one of the greatest (Breeders' Cup) Classics in history," Searing said. "It's going to be a tough race."
The Searings are looking for their first Breeders' Cup victory, though they have come close before. Switch finished second twice for them in the 2010-11 Filly and Mare Sprint (G1). And in a bit of nostalgia, they will have somewhat of a rooting interest in the Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1T)—Switch is the second dam of Japanese-bred Switch in Love.
"Switch was, if not the favorite, our second favorite," Searing said. "We did a lot with Switch. We thought for sure we'd win one of those because she was that good, but it didn't happen. So onward."
