Woolf Award to Baeza

The Jockey News

February 1968

Braulio Baeza, the brilliant Panamanian jockey who has been national champion money-winning rider the past three years, has been voted the 1968 George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award by turf writers covering the Santa Anita winter racing season.

The award in the form of a cast bronze miniature of the lifesize George Woolf statue at Santa Anita will be presented to Baeza at a special public ceremony at the Arcadia, CA, racetrack on February 22.

The Woolf Award honors the memory of the famous rider who lost his life in a racing accident at Santa Anita in 1946. Ceremonies are held annually in the track's paddock walking ring before the public. The award honors a rider for a distinguished career which reflects great credit to thte race-riding profession.

Last season Baeza set an earnings record of $3,088,888, surpassing the mark of $3,060,501 set by Bill Hartack in 1957. He previously had been money king in 1966, at $2,951,022, and in 1965, at $2,582,702. In three years, his mounts have earned more than $8,600,000.

Baeza, 27, won the Kentucky Derby with Chateaugay in 1963, upset the Belmont Stakes in 1961 with Sherluck, and scored in the 1963 Belmont with Chateaugay. He has won 13 stakes at Santa Anita, including the 1963 Santa Anita Handicap with Crozier and two stakes with Horse of the Year 1966 Buckpasser.

Baeza is contract rider for Darby Dan Farm and gives first call on his services to the Ogden Phipps and Wheatley Stables.