Jockey Russell Baze became the first jockey in North American history to ride 10,000 winners when he piloted Two Step Cat to a nose victory in the third race at Golden Gate Fields yesterday. It wasnít easy–caught in traffic on the backstretch in the one-mile test for $4,000 claimers, Baze was in tight quarters as he drove his mount between horses in the stretch, then hit the wire in a three-way photo. It took five minutes before the order of finish was announced. ìI was surprised they put my number up,î the Canadian-born Baze admitted. ìI thought Brite Oakie was in front of me. I got a seriously good nod.î The 49-year-old, inducted into racingís Hall of Fame in 1999, has taken an astonishing 65 riding titles in Northern California, and has led the nation in races won nine times.
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