Baeza adds to Grade 1 family legacy in Penn Derby

After vainly chasing division leaders Sovereignty and Journalism all spring and summer, Baeza finally got his turn in the spotlight with a decisive victory in the $1 million Pennsylvania Derby (G1) at Parx on Saturday.

It was the first stakes win for the three-year-old son of McKinzie, the 2018 Pennsylvania Derby winner, and the third top-level winner produced by the Big Brown mare Puca, who previously reared 2023 Kentucky Derby (G1) hero Mage and 2024 Belmont (G1) and Haskell (G1) winner Dornoch.

From the time he left the maiden ranks in mid-February, Baeza had shown Grade 1 ability, but Sovereignty and/or Journalism had blocked his path. A close second to Journalism in the Santa Anita Derby (G1), Baeza then lost three straight to Sovereignty in the Kentucky Derby, Belmont, and Jim Dandy (G2), with Journalism finishing second in the Derby and Belmont.

With Sovereignty and Journalism turning in their final Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) preps in the Travers (G1) and Pacific Classic (G1), respectively, the Pennsylvania Derby served as ripe pickings for Baeza, who was favored at 7-5 against nine rivals.

Receiving an ideal trip as So Sandy set an honest pace of :23.01, :46.63, and 1:10.51, Baeza made a bold four-wide rally into contention around the far turn, made the lead in upper stretch, and was all class to win by 2 1/4 lengths under Hector Berrios.

Owned in partnership by C R K Stable and breeder Grandview Equine, the John Shirreffs-trained Baeza covered 1 1/8 miles over a fast track in 1:48.03. He paid $4.80 to win.

“This was very gratifying. We have been close in some of the big races, and today, he put it all together. He was tactical, he had a kick, he did everything today," Shirreffs said.

Risen Star (G2) and Iowa Derby winner Magnitude bounced back from a dull showing in the Travers to finish second by two lengths over Goal Oriented. So Sandy weakened to fourth and was followed by Big Truzz, Gosger, Mo Plex, Happy Delusional, David of Athens, and Altobelli.

The Kentucky-bred Baeza, who has now earned more than $1.5 million from a mark of 7-2-3-2, might now head to the Nov. 1 Breeders’ Cup Classic at Del Mar and a fourth tussle with both Sovereignty and Journalism. He has yet to finish ahead of either one, but given past performance, is likely to acquit himself well.