Bodog Beat

Lava Man was unable to compete. (AP Image)

Jockey Tyler Baze was on the outside looking in after Lava Man withdrew from the 69th running of the Hollywood Gold Cup. Baze was able to find a ride aboard Mast Track, who was not considered a threat at 10-1.

Another factor pointing in Baze’s favor was that favorite Heatseeker had to withdraw because of an ankle problem. For the race Bobby Frankel, Mast Tracks’s owner, breeder and trainer put blinkers back on the horse.

Mast Track was uncontested at the start and won by more than two lengths and was never threatened at all in the race. He set an easy pace and the quarter mile factions were :24:21 and :48:88 over the first half mile. Student Council and McCann’s Mojave were the closet to Mast Track on the outside but were unable to apply and pressure going into the final turn.

"We knew there was no speed in the race," Baze said. "They put blinkers on him because they wanted him to make the lead. I just let him get comfortable by himself and find his own stride. He just jumped into the bridle at the three-eighths and from then on it was just a matter of could we hold them off or not."

What made the win even more surprising was the fact that Mast Track was a stranger to Baze who had never ridden the horse before. As they entered the backstretch it looked like they had been working together for ages.

“I didn't know the horse,” Baze said. “I've been watching my weight for the last two days. It was worth it. This is my biggest win.”

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