It’s likely on to the Kentucky Derby trail for Baeza after the high-priced auction buy rolled to a 4 3/4-length victory in a $61,000 maiden race for 3-year-olds going a mile Friday at Santa Anita.

Baeza is a McKinzie colt out of the Big Brown mare Puca. He commanded $1.2 million at auction as a yearling. Should Baeza make an impact in the 3-year-old classics, it would be a family affair. His half-brother Mage won the 2023 Kentucky Derby, and another half-brother Dornoch won the 2024 Belmont Stakes.

Sent off the 2-1 second choice under
Hector Berrios, Baeza eagerly tracked longshot pacesetter Flyin Private
(68-1) in second, took the lead midway around the second turn and drew
off in the stretch to graduate in his third start. Mellencamp (3-1),
ridden by Flavien Prat for trainer Bob Baffert, was second with another 1
1/4 lengths back to Westwood (39-1) in third.

Both Baeza and Westwood are trained by John Shirreffs and owned by C R K Stable. He won in a final time of 1:37.84 following fractions of 22.94, 46.93, 1:12.48 and 1:25.27.

“It seemed like he was a little more aggressive today,” Shirreffs said of the winner. “We’re excited about the effort.”

Berrios was riding Baeza for the second time. Last time out on Jan. 4 at Santa Anita, Baeza and Berrios finished second behind the highly regarded Rodriguez.

“His stride, it’s nice,” Berrios said. “He’s a still a little green, just a baby, but he’s getting better with racing.”

Shirreffs said a stakes opportunity will likely be next for Baeza. The stakes series for 3-year-olds at Santa Anita includes the San Felipe (G2) on March 1 and the Santa Anita Derby (G1) on April 5. Both races offer qualifying points for the Kentucky Derby on May 3 at Churchill Downs.

“We hope so,” Shirreffs said of joining the Derby trail. “It’s that time of year where you try those things. We’ll see how he comes out. I’ll talk with (owner Lee Searing) and we’ll make a decision.”

Varney, the 8-5 favorite for trainer Bob Baffert, was pulled up and eased on the first turn after having to check while racing on the inside. All appeared to be well with the Vekoma colt as he walked off the track after being examined by the on-site veterinarian.

Baeza paid $6.40, $3.60 and $2.60. Baffert-trained Mellencamp, ridden by Flavien Prat, returned $4.40 and $3.40. Westwood, ridden by Tiago Pereira, paid $8.40.