michael baze

Michael Carl Baze(April 14, 1987 – May 10, 2011) was an American Thoroughbred horse racing jockey.

He grew up in a family with an extensive history in the sport. His father was a jockey who rode primarily at tracks in the  Pacific Northwestand his uncle  GaRY bazeis a member of the Washington Racing Hall of Fame. Baze was also a cousin to jockey  Tyler Bazeand to U.S. Racing Hall of Fame inductee Russell Baze.

Baze obtained his jockey's license in 2003 and began riding in  Californiabefore heading to the east coast of the United States later that year where he met with success at  Monmouth Park Racetrackin New Jersey. In 2006, he returned to a base in southern California and the following year was his breakout year when he was the leading rider at the  Hollywood Park Racetrackspring/summer season and at the Del Mar Racetrack.