The most awaited race, the 151st Kentucky Derby, is grabbing headlines for all the right reasons. The ambition, grit, and unexpected twist are going to fill the room with excitement. Speaking of twists, Rodriguez was scratched just days before the Derby, and Beaza became his replacement. Rodriguez is one of the star performers who had a minor injury on his foot.

They called out his name; the empty place needed to be filled, and then Baez came. All eyes are on the replacement of Rodriguez. Who is Baeza? How will he justify his place in the Derby? With additional names, tension builds at Churchill Downs as they prepare for the epic race. Let’s unfold Baez’s story of how it all begins.

Who is Baeza?

Baeza is a three-year-old colt who replaced Rodriguez in the 2025 Kentucky Derby. He is from California, and he officially took the Kentucky Derby (G1) train to Louisville next month. Some appreciate his past achievement as a yearling. But few remember Baeza as the legendary retired Hall of Fame jockey, Braulio Baeza. 

In addition to Braulio Baeza, he was an elite figure in horse racing from 1960 to 1970. He achieved 3,000 victories and earned many titles. Some attribute his success to the colt Baeza, and as a namesake, he will make an unforgettable contribution. 

Who owns Baeza?

He is co-owned by C R K Stable LLC, a family focused on running competitive campaigning runners like Express Train, and Grandview Equine, a cult of people who have an eye for spotting high-caliber talent. They purchased Baeza for $1.2 million at the 2023 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. The co-owner believes in long-term success, patiently seeking out horses with distant potential, as demonstrated by Baeza’s qualities.

Who is the trainer of Baeza?

Baeza is trained by John Shirreffs, a veteran horseman. He is best known for training Giacomo for the 2005 Kentucky Derby victory. His calm demeanor is reflected in the development of the young colt, as he trained Baeza patiently but created a fast racing phase. Other iconic names linked with Shirreffs’ training, like Zenyatta and Tiago, added glory to his resume, and he gained experience to prepare strong contenders like Baeza for the Derby.

Who is Baeza’s jockey?

Flavien Prat will ride the Baeza in the 2025 Kentucky Derby. A jockey with numerous racing experiences excels in his calculative strategy. Prat won the Derby in 2019 aboard Country House (via the disqualification of the original winner). Prat is well-known for his adept traffic handling and ability to time his moves with precision, both of which will be important for Baeza’s wide draw from post position 20. 

What are Baeza’s career earnings?

Since May 2025, Baeza has earned $148,500 by participating in four competitive races. While he won 1 race, in 2 races he came in as runner-up. His debut victory was on Valentine’s Day at Santa Anita, where he embarked on domination with a 4¾-length field. Despite his limited racing experience, Baeze earned a significant name in elite competition. Furthermore, if he performs well at Churchill Downs in the future, we expect his earnings to rise.

When and where is Baeza’s race?

Baeza’s most-awaited race is scheduled for Saturday, May 3, 2025, at Churchill Downs in Louisville. The Kentucky Derby post time is set for 6.57 p.m.ET. The race will be broadcast on NBC and streamed on Peacock. His post position will be at 20, the outermost gate; his odds are 12-1, marking him as a strong contender. 

What are Baeza’s racing stats and past performances?

Baeza made his debut on turf at Del Mar in December 2024, where he earned 9th position. On the flip side, his second maiden race was behind Rodriguez’s in January. Again, he returned to the race in February and won a fantastic victory at Santa Anita, proving dominance by nearly five lengths.

Despite his fantastic performance, Baeza finished second in the Santa Anita Derby and was known as powerful. This was the highest Beyer Speed Figure he had ever had in his career, at 101. With this speed, he belongs among the elite horses— the 3-year-old stepping onto Derby Day.

What is Baeza’s pedigree and bloodline?

Baeza belongs to an elite bloodline, which makes him one of the most pedigreed horses in the 2025 Kentucky Derby field. McKinzie, a multiple Grade 1 winner under the legendary Bob Baffert’s training, adds to his bloodline. His sire was influential in breeding versatile and fast-paced offspring. It is visible, with Baeza demonstrating the prestigious genetic footprint. 

 In addition to his bloodline, Mage is a half-stepbrother, sharing the same dam, Puca, who is herself a notable broodmare. Mage is the winner of the 2023 Kentucky Derby, and Dornoch won the Belmont Stakes in 2024. This lineup reflects the Baeza family, a traditional family in which Mage is a half-brother and Dornoch is a stepbrother. His half-sibling’s success is notable, adding to fans’ excitement about Baeza’s potential. Thanks to his pedigree, Baez is all set to elevate the race this year.