Tyler Baze Approved to Resume Riding Jan. 1

Tyler Baze Approved to Resume Riding Jan. 1
Associated Press


Jockey Tyler Baze will be allowed to resume riding in races Jan. 1 as long as he abides by several conditions set by the California Horse Racing Board.

Baze was able to exercise horses starting Saturday in his return to the saddle after being sidelined since June when his license was suspended after he failed a sobriety test at Betfair Hollywood Park.

The 31-year-old rider completed a required 60-day residency in a substance abuse program in early October, but was denied reinstatement because he had not undergone an evaluation by the Winner's Foundation, a group that offers help and counseling to racing industry members with alcohol and drug problems in Southern California.

Stewards at Hollywood Park, ruling on behalf of the CHRB, decided Dec. 13 that as long as he is licensed in California, Baze must abide by the terms of a contract with the Winner's Foundation that he signed in late October; participate in a sobriety monitoring program; appear in person before the CHRB investigative staff each day he is named to ride; and promptly report any interaction with law enforcement to the CHRB staff.

Among the requirements of Baze's contract with the Winner's Foundation is that he stay in a sober living house for at least a year and allow the foundation to test him with a field Breathalyzer at its discretion.

Baze won the 2000 Eclipse Award as the nation's top apprentice jockey. He is a cousin of Russell Baze, Thoroughbred racing's career jockey leader. Another cousin, rider Michael Baze, died from an accidental overdose of cocaine and prescription pain medication in 2011 at age 24.