Page 208 - July 2022

RACING NEWS
Yair Daniel Baez Soto Wins Five Consecutive Races at the Hipódromo de Las Américas
by Luis Prieto Zamudio, translation by Speedhorse
These results are the product of the intense and disciplined work of Yair Daniel Báez, who in recent years has positioned himself among the most competitive and sought-after riders. As of May 22, he ranked as the leading rider with the highest score in the statistics
of the Hipodromo de las Americas. His most notable success in the current season is a
win in the Millionaire Mexico Futurity with Carlita Jess. He has also won the following stakes: Enrique Carrión Álvarez Classic (Moon Flash Chic); Francisco Pasquel Classic (Divas First Anita, with New Track Record time at 110 yards); Inaugural Classic (JRS Coronas Shadow); and the Revelation Classic, already mentioned in previous paragraphs.
At 30 years of age, Báez is originally from Xalapa, State of Veracruz, and began to ride at the age of 12, and at 16 he debuted at the Hipodoromo de las Americas.
“Five races in one day had only been won in pairs (not consecutively), but at the racecourse only three,” Báez told us with emotion.
There was a similar precedent on the part of the recently retired rider, the veteran José Luis Santos Cruz, who confirmed that he had achieved five wins in one afternoon at the Hipodromo de las Americas, approximately 20 years ago.
Together with his wife Ivón, they formed
the Báez - Gómez Family, having two young daughters Valentina and Antonella, who accompany him whenever possible to the Hipodromo de las Americas and wherever his services are required. “They are my life, a great support and drive to move forward. They always recognize my achievements and encourage me when the expected results don’t happen,” he says.
Worthy mention and recognition also deserve to go to the work of young trainer Rubén Romo Hernández and his team, having also added five entries into the winner’s circle. These are the four achieved by Báez, plus that of Wagon Will in the Mexican Association of Breeders and Horsemen Quarter Horse Classic in the ninth race of the day. The son of PYC Paint Your Wagon had the support of jockey Martín Utrera Morales.
The afternoon of May 15, 2022, will be unforgettable for rider Yair Daniel Báez. He would participate in all of the nine carded races that day. However, he surprised by winning the first five events abaord the following horses:
RACE 1:
Testify, in a 350-yard allowance. This four-year-old gelded son of Inseperable is owned by the Cuadra Los Gavilanes and is trained by Rubén Romo Hernández.
RACE 2:
Stay And Play NR, who won the Revelation Classic, entering the winner’s circle with the Cuadra Los Gavilanes team, and trainer Rubén Romo Hernández. He is a son of the great First Down Dash.
RACE 3:
La Diamante Cartel, a five-year-old mare who won a 350-yard allowance, again for the team of Cuadra Los Gavilanes who went to winner’s circle with the daughter of The Louisiana Cartel.
RACE 4:
LA Feature This Bell, is a two-year-old Mexican bred daughter of Feature This Cold. In a tight finish, she dominated the group at the 300-yard finish in an allowance for Cuadra Tittanium and trainer Rubén Romo Hernández.
RACE 5:
DK Dantera, the fifth success for Báez was with this two-year-old bay filly, who belongs to Rancho El Suspiro. A daughter of Danny Cartel, she won a maiden over the distance of 300 yards for traier Nahum de Jesús Lagunes Montero.
206 SPEEDHORSE July 2022
Trainer Rubén Romo Hernández poses with his son Neizan and his mother Guadalupe Hernández, after Stay And Play NR’s triumph in the Revelation Classic.
Luis Prieto Zamudio