Russell Baze chase/Laffit Pincay at Bay Meadows

[westcoastinvader]

http://www.baymeadows.com/vunews.php...26active_sub=2

I'm guessing most here already know, but Russell Baze now sits 6 wins behind Laffit Pincay. According to the Bay Meadows site, Laffit Pincay will be at the track the day Russell eclipses his record.

Laffit will also be a guest for "At The Track" this Saturday morning. Broadcast at 7AM California time, on KNBR 680.

http://www.knbr.com/listenNow.html


I know the all time win record is and will be the subject of good debate when Russell Baze takes the lead.

What I know for certain is that I have really enjoyed watching and following Russell Baze during my last six years in California.

[bigjag0716]

Hey WCI!

How's it been man? long time no talk, it's sorta nice to see Russell break it but I have mixed emotions about it. For one thing I was a huge Pincay fan I admired that he broke the record against some of the greatest in the world. Not taking anything away from Russell Muscle but he didn't do it against that great of competition, still though that's pretty damn hard to do what he did.

I still do look forward to seeing him break the record, he won't get the recognition that Pincay did though. I think he will break it on Sunday, the last race on the card in a typical 6 horse Bay Meadows nightcap race. He will break it on a cheap claimer , that would only be fitting lol.

[westcoastinvader]

Originally Posted by bigjag0716

Hey WCI!

How's it been man? long time no talk, it's sorta nice to see Russell break it but I have mixed emotions about it. For one thing I was a huge Pincay fan I admired that he broke the record against some of the greatest in the world. Not taking anything away from Russell Muscle but he didn't do it against that great of competition, still though that's pretty damn hard to do what he did.

I still do look forward to seeing him break the record, he won't get the recognition that Pincay did though. I think he will break it on Sunday, the last race on the card in a typical 6 horse Bay Meadows nightcap race. He will break it on a cheap claimer , that would only be fitting lol.

Hey BigJag, good to see you here as well!

Yep, comparing Russell Baze with some of the other all time win leaders is indeed comparing "apples and oranges" in my book.

I truly admire and appreciate that Russell found a niche and just worked hard to win consistently over many many years.

Maybe a blue collar "steady eddy," but still something to be very much respected. In horse racing, or in life.

[Star of the North]

I had the good fortune to meet Laffit and Russell on the same day in the Turfway Park racing office on March 28, 1998. A power pole had blown over in the track parking lot the night before the running of the Jim Beam Stakes and the entire plant was dark.

Members of the Turfway management team were conferring over what course of action to pursue while trainers and jockeys awaited their decision. I found myself on a bench next to Baze and Pincay while everyone waited for some announcement. Pincay (who was scheduled to ride Yarrow Brae for Lukas that day) was working his cell phone furiously in an attempt to find an immediate flight out of Cincinnati while Russell waited quietly for the track's announcement. Minutes later the word came through the racing office: Turfway would cancel the day's racecard and run the Beam the next day.

By this time Pincay had found an earlier flight back to L.A. and was now looking for a ride to the airport. I asked Russell what his plans were. He responded "Well, I guess will have to wait until tomorrow to get the money."

Russell delivered on the promise. The next day he guided Golden Eagle Farm's Event Of The Year to an impressive, five-length win in the last running of the Jim Beam Stakes.

There was a time in Pincay's career when his business had dropped off and he wondered aloud about shipping his tack to Northern California although he never made good on the threat. It would have been memorable to see Baze and Pincay square off every day.

When you think about the sacrifices that Pincay and Baze each made to get to this level, it is unfair to diminish Baze's achievement in any way. He may not have overcome as many injuries as Pincay, but Baze has had his share of mishaps that have kept him out of the saddle. Just this past year Baze double-timed his recovery from a collarbone fracture to regain the mount on Lost in the Fog. I would say to anyone who thinks Russell is something less than a top rank jock that you haven't watched him very much.

When he breaks the record this weekend, recall what Longden said to Shoe when his career record was broken at Del Mar in 1970: "I knew it took a good man to set the record and I knew it would take another good man to break it."

[westcoastinvader]

Great story, Star of the North.

Thank you for sharing.

[SCUDSBROTHER]

Tired of looking at those damn ugly teeth.Lets get this done already.No way in hell anybody will ever win as many races with chalk as this guy.That will stand forever.

[hoovesupsideyourhead]

congrats ...massive security force for the 150 in attendence..laffit /rudolf /stevens ..leave burn out marks in rent a car....lez gtf out a here...lol

Originally Posted by hoovesupsideyourhead

congrats ...massive security force for the 150 in attendence..laffit /rudolf /stevens ..leave burn out marks in rent a car....lez gtf out a here...lol

Haha!!!

His daughters are hot!!

Originally Posted by hoovesupsideyourhead

congrats ...massive security force for the 150 in attendence..laffit /rudolf /stevens ..leave burn out marks in rent a car....lez gtf out a here...lol

LOL!!!!
Thats the post of the day!!!
I jumped out of the shower and went into the living room just in time to see the horse cross the line.
Gonna be a long time before we ever get another leader, if we ever do.
Most guys who win a lotta races and are successful make the jump to the big leagues where you win fewer races per year for much more cash.
Quiet frankly this record could end up being a Dimaggio record or a Woody Belmont record.
I dunno that anyone will ever beat that one.

Originally Posted by oracle80

LOL!!!!
Thats the post of the day!!!
I jumped out of the shower and went into the living room just in time to see the horse cross the line.
Gonna be a long time before we ever get another leader, if we ever do.
Most guys who win a lotta races and are successful make the jump to the big leagues where you win fewer races per year for much more cash.
Quiet frankly this record could end up being a Dimaggio record or a Woody Belmont record.
I dunno that anyone will ever beat that one.

Dominguez might. I doubt he'll ever jump to the big leagues and he seems to have a stranglehold at Delaware and Maryland.

[timmgirvan]

Originally Posted by Star of the North

I had the good fortune to meet Laffit and Russell on the same day in the Turfway Park racing office on March 28, 1998. A power pole had blown over in the track parking lot the night before the running of the Jim Beam Stakes and the entire plant was dark.

Members of the Turfway management team were conferring over what course of action to pursue while trainers and jockeys awaited their decision. I found myself on a bench next to Baze and Pincay while everyone waited for some announcement. Pincay (who was scheduled to ride Yarrow Brae for Lukas that day) was working his cell phone furiously in an attempt to find an immediate flight out of Cincinnati while Russell waited quietly for the track's announcement. Minutes later the word came through the racing office: Turfway would cancel the day's racecard and run the Beam the next day.

By this time Pincay had found an earlier flight back to L.A. and was now looking for a ride to the airport. I asked Russell what his plans were. He responded "Well, I guess will have to wait until tomorrow to get the money."

Russell delivered on the promise. The next day he guided Golden Eagle Farm's Event Of The Year to an impressive, five-length win in the last running of the Jim Beam Stakes.

There was a time in Pincay's career when his business had dropped off and he wondered aloud about shipping his tack to Northern California although he never made good on the threat. It would have been memorable to see Baze and Pincay square off every day.

When you think about the sacrifices that Pincay and Baze each made to get to this level, it is unfair to diminish Baze's achievement in any way. He may not have overcome as many injuries as Pincay, but Baze has had his share of mishaps that have kept him out of the saddle. Just this past year Baze double-timed his recovery from a collarbone fracture to regain the mount on Lost in the Fog. I would say to anyone who thinks Russell is something less than a top rank jock that you haven't watched him very much.

When he breaks the record this weekend, recall what Longden said to Shoe when his career record was broken at Del Mar in 1970: "I knew it took a good man to set the record and I knew it would take another good man to break it."

Nice post...thanks for the story!