Owner Lee Searing experienced an extraordinary two days last week with his horses, highlighted by the impressive performances of 2-year-old Englishman and Grade I Pennsylvania Derby winner Baeza. Englishman, trained by Cherie DeVaux, dominated a Churchill Downs maiden race by over seven lengths, nearly breaking the track record and earning a 97 Beyer figure, marking him as a promising young contender. Meanwhile, Baeza, owned in partnership with Grandview Equine and trained by John Shirreffs, finally captured his first Grade I victory after several strong placings behind top horses Sovereignty and Journalism. Searing emphasized patience with Baeza, noting his late birth and steady improvement, and expressed confidence in the horse’s continued development and future racing prospects.
Searing also credited April Mayberry for her role in selecting quality horses like Baeza at sales, highlighting the importance of a strong team in their success. Looking ahead, Baeza is expected to race as a 4-year-old and may face familiar rivals again in the GI Breeders’ Cup Classic, while Englishman will likely skip the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile to gain more experience in upcoming stakes or allowance races. The article also mentions broader industry topics discussed on the TDN Writers’ Room podcast, including upcoming major races and concerns about integrity in the sport.
