Jockey
Tyler Baze didn’t take long to get back to the winner’s circle in his return to
riding in Southern California.
Injured
in a pre-race mishap last July 24 at Del Mar, Baze, 28, won with his second
mount on his first day back at his home circuit, scoring an easy gate-to-wire
victory aboard Joyful Success in the sixth race Thursday at Hollywood Park.
After
finishing off the board with Southern Sugah
earlier in the card, Baze quickly established command from the inside aboard
the 4-1 shot in the $16,000 claimer. Joyful Success, a 4-year-old Successful
Appeal gelding, never looked like a loser in giving Baze his first Hollywood
Park victory since 13-1 shot Ex Lover won the opener last July 18.
“It
feels good,’’ Baze, who also rode unplaced longshot Krasavitsa in the eighth,
told TVG’s Michelle Yu. “It’s a relief to get back to the winner’s circle
early.’’
The
win was the third in 13 starts for Joyful Success, who was trained by Peter
Miller for owner Altamira Racing Stable. Miller was also the trainer of Night
Justice, the horse Baze was riding when he was injured last summer.
Joyful
Success, who won by 3 ¼ lengths over 17-1 shot Aliza’s Dream, was claimed out
of the race by owner-trainer Mark Glatt.
Baze
had ridden two horses at Turf Paradise – both unplaced Monday (Only Grace) and
Wednesday (Yougottabekiddinme) – prior to Thursday’s success.
Joel
Rosario, the defending riding titlist at the Spring/Summer meet, had three
winners Thursday, giving him seven to top the standings after five days of the
current season.
Rosario swept the early
double with favorites Tripped the Light and Caitie’s Secret, then won the
seventh on 9-10 favorite Akkadian.
Rebounding
from a troubled effort when fourth at 11-10 March 18, Akkadian won for the
second time in four starts, outfinishing 5-2 second choice Great Warrior by a
neck.
Trained
by Julio Canani for Gary S. Broad, the 3-year-old son of Tiznow and the
Souvenir Copy mare Papa Sids Girl ran the mile on turf in 1:35.33. The victory
in the $53,200 optional claimer increased his earnings to $77,760.
Akkadian
paid $3.80, $2.40 and $2.20. Great Warrior returned $3.40 and $2.40. Cloud Man,
who finished 1 3/4 lengths behind Great Warrior, paid $3 to show.
The
Player’s Pick 5, which debuted a week ago, returned $2,000.80 to 31 correct
tickets. Four of five was worth $10.30. The pool for the 50 cent minimum wager,
which consists of races 1-5 daily, was $102,888.
Racing
resumes Friday night. Post time is 7:05 p.m.
After
the eight race program is concluded – approximately 10:30 p.m. – a concert
starring Gin Blossoms will begin at the North Park Lawn.