It was an event for $12,500 claimers and Butterfly Belle was the name of the winning horse.Russell Baze found an opening along the rail in the stretch and Butterfly Belle responded to score decisively. Despite a 10-race losing streak, Butterfly Belle was bet down to 18-10 favoritism. Fans wanted a souvenir of the history-making accomplishment.
“I am not going to do a lot of celebrating. I will do a lot of relaxing. I am now going for10,000. May be, in 1 1/2 years, I might get there,” Baze exulted.
“Who would have thought 32 years ago a skinny little kid, with no experience, would be standing here. I can hardly believe this,” Baze stated.
Laffitt Pincay, Jr was on hand. Pincay had been at the track for five successive race days.
“I bet on all the other horses in this race. I wanted to jinx them,” Pincay said.
“Nobody will ever break his record. He will keep going. He works hard. He is totally dedicated,” Pincay added.
Earlie Fires, still active, is 3,000 winners away. With Baze continuing to ride, his record may never be broken, after all.Russell Baze rode his first winner in 1974 (at 16) in Washingtom State. He has been a dominating presence in northern California. Not a high profile jockey like Pincay or Bill Shoemaker, Baze has competed in only two Kentucky Derby races.
