According to a report on ESPN.com, 24-year-old jockey Michael Baze was found dead in his vehicle on Tuesday afternoon in the stable area of Churchill Downs
.
Baze’s agent, Bobby Kelly, reportedly made numerous attempts to contact Baze on Tuesday morning, however he failed to contact Baze. Kelly was informed by backstretch workers that Baze had been in his vehicle in the same spot all morning before someone called 911. Responding emergency workers found Baze dead upon arriving later in the day.
An investigation into Baze’s death is being conducted by the Louisville Metro Police.
Baze, a native of Renton, Washington began his riding career in 2003. The career winner of 918 races and purses in excess of $32.4 million was the leading rider at Hollywood Park and Del Mar in 2007.