Topic: Michael Baze

Michael C. Baze (born April 14, 1987 in Renton, Washington) was an American Thoroughbred horse racing jockey. He grew up in a family with an extensive history in the sport of Thoroughbred racing. His father was a jockey who rode primarily at tracks in the Pacific Northwest and his uncle Gary Baze is a member of the Washington Racing Hall of Fame. Michael Baze was also a cousin to jockey Tyler Baze and to U.S. Racing Hall of Fame inductee Russell Baze.

Michael Baze obtained his jockey's license in 2003 and began riding in California before heading to the East Coast of the United States later that year where he met with success at Monmouth Park Racetrack in 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 Racetrack spring/summer season and at Del Mar Racetrack.

On May 10, 2011, Michael Baze’s body was found inside his Cadillac Escalade in the stable area of Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Foul play is not suspected.