RIP Michael Baze

[tarheelblue89]

Just 24 :(

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Michael Baze, the leading jockey at Arlington Park last summer and a member of the famed Baze riding family of the western United States, was found dead Tuesday afternoon in his vehicle in the stable area of Churchill Downs. He was 24.

A Louisville Metro Police spokeswoman, Alicia Smiley, said Tuesday evening that police have undertaken an investigation into the death. Churchill spokesman John Asher said track officials were not at liberty to comment on the death.

Bobby Kelly, whom Baze had recently hired as his agent, said he tried to call and text Baze all morning but got no response. Kelly said backstretch workers informed him that Baze apparently had been in his vehicle in the same spot all morning before someone called 911 and emergency workers found Baze dead in the vehicle later in the day.

Baze was the son of retired jockey Mike Baze and is the first cousin of active jockey Tyler Baze. His uncle is Gary Baze, while Russell Baze, the Hall of Fame jockey who is the all-time winningest jockey in history, is the first cousin of his father, Mike.

http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/horse/news/story?id=6523168

Arlington Park is my local track and this guy has won me poo loads of money. Was even a friend on my Facebook for the brief time I had one.

Really sad.