Gary Baze
Encyclopedia
Gary Baze is an American Thoroughbred horse racing
jockey
. An inductee of the Washington State Racing Hall of Fame, his Hall of Fame profile says of him: "As much as anything, Baze is respected throughout the industry for his honesty, courtesy, sportsmanship and work ethic."
A member of the renowned Baze racing family, his father was a trainer in Washington State for many years. In 1972, Gary Baze embarked on his career, doing his apprencticeship at the Playfair Race Course in Spokane, Washington
.
Washington State's all-time leading jockey, during his career Gary Baze won a record six riding titles at Longacres Racetrack in Renton, Washington
before the track closed in 1992. He retired from racing in 1996 to work for the Jockeys' Guild
but returned to riding at Emerald Downs in 2000. That year, he finished 4th in the standings with 80 wins. His 351 career wins at Emerald Downs rank #10 all time. He also ranks #7 in earnings ($4,300,565) and #4 in stakes wins (26) entering the 2011 season at Emerald Downs.
In 2009, Gary Baze was a finalist for the prestigious George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award
.
On April 1, 1999, Gary Baze married jockey Vicky Aragon, herself a winner of more than 1,500 races.
Thoroughbred horse race
Thoroughbred horse racing is a worldwide sport and industry involving the racing of Thoroughbred horses. It is governed by different national bodies. There are two forms of the sport: Flat racing and National Hunt racing...
jockey
Jockey
A jockey is an athlete who rides horses in horse racing or steeplechase racing, primarily as a profession. The word also applies to camel riders in camel racing.-Etymology:...
. An inductee of the Washington State Racing Hall of Fame, his Hall of Fame profile says of him: "As much as anything, Baze is respected throughout the industry for his honesty, courtesy, sportsmanship and work ethic."
A member of the renowned Baze racing family, his father was a trainer in Washington State for many years. In 1972, Gary Baze embarked on his career, doing his apprencticeship at the Playfair Race Course in Spokane, Washington
Spokane, Washington
Spokane is a city located in the Northwestern United States in the state of Washington. It is the largest city of Spokane County of which it is also the county seat, and the metropolitan center of the Inland Northwest region...
.
Washington State's all-time leading jockey, during his career Gary Baze won a record six riding titles at Longacres Racetrack in Renton, Washington
Renton, Washington
Renton is an Eastside edge city in King County, Washington, United States. Situated 11 miles southeast of Seattle, Washington, Renton straddles the southeast shore of Lake Washington. Founded in the 1860s, Renton became a supply town for the Newcastle coal fields...
before the track closed in 1992. He retired from racing in 1996 to work for the Jockeys' Guild
Jockeys' Guild
The Jockeys' Guild Inc. is an American trade association based in Lexington, Kentucky, representing thoroughbred horse racing and American quarter horse professional jockeys...
but returned to riding at Emerald Downs in 2000. That year, he finished 4th in the standings with 80 wins. His 351 career wins at Emerald Downs rank #10 all time. He also ranks #7 in earnings ($4,300,565) and #4 in stakes wins (26) entering the 2011 season at Emerald Downs.
In 2009, Gary Baze was a finalist for the prestigious George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award
George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award
The George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award has been presented by Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California, annually since 1950 to the thoroughbred horse racing jockey in North America who demonstrates high standards of personal and professional conduct, on and off the racetrack.The award was created...
.
On April 1, 1999, Gary Baze married jockey Vicky Aragon, herself a winner of more than 1,500 races.