Jockey Russel Baze, who raced many years at Longacres here in Renton, has just become horse racing's winningest jockey ever!

He still has strong ties to our city, as his brother Dr. Randy Baze is a very likable and successful chiropractor in our city. Dr. Baze is just about to open an all-new office next to the East Valley 13 movie theater. Dr. Baze began his study of chiropracty after first seeing how effective it was on race horses.

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Saturday, December 2, 2006 - Page updated at 12:00 AM

Baze breaks jockey record

Jockey Russell Baze, far right, rides Butterfly Belle in the fourth race at Bay Meadows in San Mateo, Calif., Friday, Dec. 1, 2006. Baze finished first. It was Baze's 9,531st victory to eclipse Laffit Pincay Jr.'s career record to become thoroughbred racing's winningest jockey.



Russell Baze

SAN MATEO, Calif. .. Russell Baze fell off a horse when he was a teenager, and his father thought he didn't have a future riding the animals.

Good thing Baze didn't listen to dad.

Baze, who grew up in Granger, Wash., and began his career in the state, became Thoroughbred racing's winningest jockey Friday when he broke Laffit Pincay Jr.'s record with a victory aboard Butterfly Belle at Bay Meadows, with his father, Joe, looking on.

Win No. 9,531 came in the fourth race, when the 48-year-old Baze found a hole along the rail and drove through it. He whipped the filly right-handed down the stretch to win on the Longden turf course, named for Johnny Longden, who once held the record Baze broke.

"When I got started galloping horses, it was so thrilling and challenging," said Baze, who had ridden three Longacres Mile winners and is in the Washington and national racing Halls of Fame. "From the start, I knew this is what I wanted to do. I was just praying I wouldn't outgrow the profession."

He didn't.

Baze started riding in Yakima and raced for five seasons at Longacres in Renton.
( Click here to read the rest of the Seattle Times story )

My heartfelt thanks to all of our soldiers who have protected our nation's freedom through the centuries, and for those of you who continue to protect our families, our community, our nation, and our world. Our society takes so much in life for granted these days, but we would have nothing if it were not for your sacrifices.

And to all residents, there are still plenty of tiles available at the Renton Veterans Memorial, for honoring special veterans in your life. Applications for the plaques to commemorate the veterans are available to print at www.rentonwa.gov, or you may call 425-430-6600 to receive an application. Applications can also be picked up at Renton City Hall, Community Services Department, 5th Floor, 1055 South Grady Way, Renton, WA.

The city will be unveiling a plaque in the Piazza on Saturday, at 10:00, to commemorate a very important and beloved Renton citizen.

Click here to read more about Renton's remarkable Marge Richter!

She looks so professional in her uniform I had to show her off....














My wife and I once lived in this beautiful Renton hotel for a week before our daughter shown above was even born. The years go by so quickly!