He's Baaaaack... Charlie and Chris in 6th Race at Hollywood Park

Charlie and Chris with Steve.

Charlie and Chris, the nice Unusual Heat colt I've been following since the beginning of the year, will be the likely favorite in the 6th race at Hollywood Park today. Tyler Baze has the mount for trainer Howard Zucker in the maiden claiming race for California-breds three and up.

In his last race, a 6-1/2 furlong overnight stakes at Hollywood Park on Apr. 25, Charlie and Chris pressed the pace before tiring to finish 7th. Previously, he ran two seconds and a third at Santa Anita, and in his last race Charlie and Chris appeared to rate well for Baze. If he reproduces that style, he may just take this one!

Tyler Baze Recovering from Injuries Suffered During Spill on Friday

Tyler Baze at Hollywood Park 12/6/08.

Tyler Baze, third leading jockey at Hollywood Park's Fall meet, is recovering from injuries incurred when his horse, Pink Diamond, went through the rail just past the wire in the 4th race Friday. Baze suffered four cracked ribs and a hairline fracture of the scapula.

Baze said he hoped to be back by opening day of the Santa Anita meet (Dec. 26), but the final decision rests with his doctor. Baze was up and around today, in good spirits except for the fact that it hurts to cough or laugh!

Hyperbaric Wins Citation Handicap at Hollywood Park

Jockey Tyler Baze sent Hyperbaric to the lead out of the gate, got him to relax down the backstretch, and took advantage of the lack of other speed to cruise to victory in the 31st running of the Grade 1, $400,000 Citation Handicap at 1-1/16 miles on the turf at Hollywood Park. The win was the 4th in a row and first Grade 1 victory for Hyperbaric, who provided trainer Julio Canani with his second Citation Handicap win. Canani won the 1990 running with Colway Rally.

Canani said Hyperbaric's next start will most likely be in the Duty Free Stakes in Dubai, run during the Dubai World Cup in March. The 5-year-old Sky Classic gelding is owned by Prestonwood Farm LLC. He paid $13.00, $6.20, and $4.00. Running second and third were Formal Decree and Becrux.

Evita Argentina Wins Moccasin S. for Tyler Baze on His Wife's Birthday

Evita Argentina came from last to first to score an impressive victory in the 22nd running of the $100,000-added Moccasin Stakes for 2-year-old fillies at 7 furlongs on Hollywood Park's Cushion Track. The victory was extra special for jockey Tyler Baze, who took the opportunity in the winner's circle to wish his wife, Christina, a happy birthday.

Down the backstretch, Evita Argentina was last in the field of 11; but, when Baze made his move on her, she came charging down the center of the track to prevail by nearly two lengths over runners-up Mi Chiamano Mimi and Palacio de Amor.

Evita Argentina, who paid $14.80, $5.80, and $3.40, is trained by John Sadler for Ted Aroney's Halo Farms and Three Sisters Thoroughbreds, who knew they had a special filly when she beat Stardom Bound in the Grade 3 Sorrento Stakes at Del Mar Aug. 6, in the second start of her career. In the Sorrento S., Evita Argentina became the first stakes winner for freshman sire Candy Ride.