Baeza

Connections

Owner: C R K Stable LLC and Grandview Equine
Breeders: Grandview Equine
Trainer: John A. Shirreffs
Jockey: Flavien Prat

Rodriguez: 2025 Kentucky Derby Contender Profile

Baeza, a 3-year-old colt by McKinzie out of Puca, heads into the 2025 Kentucky Derby with a Santa Anita Derby 2nd (1:49.93) behind Kentucky Derby morning line and current favorite, Journalism. With a stellar pedigree that includes his grandsire, the 2007 Kentucky Derby winner Street Sense, he draws into the field off the also-eligible list to compete in the Run for the Roses.

Pedigree

Baeza
├── Sire: McKinzie
│ ├── Sire: Street Sense
│ └── Dam: Runway Model (by Petionville)
└── Dam: Puca
├── Sire: Big Brown
└── Dam: Boat’s Ghost (by Silver Ghost)

1st Generation Pedigree

• Sire: McKinzie
  McKinzie, a son of Street Sense, raced from 2017 to 2020, earning $3,528,560 with wins in the 2018 Pennsylvania Derby (G1) (1 1/8 miles, 1:48.40) and 2020 Whitney Stakes (G1) (1 1/8 miles, 1:47.94). A versatile runner, he placed 2nd in the 2018 Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1). As a sire, McKinzie’s first crop includes Baeza, who has earned $148,500 with a 1-2-0 record in four starts.
• Dam: Puca
  Puca, by Big Brown, earned $299,406 with a win in the 2016 Steve Pini Memorial Stakes (1 1/16 miles, turf) and a 2nd in the 2015 Gazelle Stakes (G2) (1 1/8 miles, dirt). She’s a half-sister to 2016 Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist (by Uncle Mo) and produced 2021 Belmont Stakes winner Essential Quality (by Tapit), making her a significant broodmare.

2nd Generation Pedigree

• McKinzie’s Parents (Baeza’s Paternal Grandparents)
  McKinzie’s sire is Street Sense, as you confirmed, a son of Street Cry who won the 2007 Kentucky Derby (G1) (1 1/4 miles, 2:02.17) and 2007 Travers Stakes (G1) (1 1/4 miles, 2:02.69), earning $4,383,200. Street Sense has sired classic-distance runners like McKinzie and Maxfield (2021 Clark Handicap winner). McKinzie’s dam is Runway Model, by Petionville, a Grade 2 winner who earned $725,598, including the 2005 Golden Rod Stakes (G2) (1 1/16 miles, 1:44.00), adding speed and stamina.
• Puca’s Parents (Baeza’s Maternal Grandparents)
  Puca’s sire is Big Brown, a son of Boundary who won the 2008 Kentucky Derby (G1) (1 1/4 miles, 2:01.82) and 2008 Preakness Stakes (G1) (1 3/16 miles, 1:54.80), earning $3,614,500. Big Brown’s progeny include Dortmund (2015 Santa Anita Derby winner), showing his influence on dirt runners. Puca’s dam is Boat’s Ghost, by Silver Ghost, an unraced mare who produced Puca and other winners. Silver Ghost, a son of Mr. Prospector, earned $405,399 and sired stakes winners like Silver Axe, adding speed to the lineage.

Additional Notes on Baeza’s Pedigree

• Paternal Line (McKinzie): McKinzie, by Street Sense, brings a blend of speed and stamina—Street Sense’s 2007 Kentucky Derby win and McKinzie’s Whitney Stakes success show Baeza’s potential for classic distances. Runway Model, by Petionville, adds early speed—her Golden Rod win aligns with Baeza’s strong maiden performance at 1 mile (1:37.94).
• Maternal Line (Puca): Puca, by Big Brown, offers classic-distance ability—Big Brown’s 2008 Derby win and Puca’s production of Essential Quality (2021 Belmont winner, 2:27.11 for 1 1/2 miles) suggest Baeza can stretch out to 1 1/4 miles. Boat’s Ghost, by Silver Ghost, contributes speed—Silver Ghost’s sprint success aligns with Baeza’s early pace in his maiden win.
• Pedigree Fit for the Derby: Baeza’s pedigree is ideal for the Derby distance. Street Sense and Big Brown both won the Kentucky Derby, and Puca’s production of Essential Quality reinforces his stamina. His Santa Anita Derby 2nd (1:49.93) at 1 1/8 miles shows he can handle longer distances, though his inexperience (only four starts) and lack of Churchill Downs experience are concerns.

Baeza’s Race Record