Jockey Michael Baze falls in Del Mar accident

DEL MAR, Calif. – Michael Baze, the leading rider at Del Mar, was unseated when his mount broke down nearing the finish line in Sunday’s first race.

Lyrical Sound, a 4-year-old filly, had to be destroyed and Baze was taken to the hospital for precautionary X-rays of his upper left leg, which were negative.

The 20-year-old jockey, who recently won the riding title at Hollywood Park’s spring-summer meeting, returned to ride in the final three races on the card.

Baze has won 15 races during the first 10 days of Del Mar’s meeting. He was replaced on his mounts in the second through sixth races.

Lyrical Sound, trained by Mike Mitchell, bobbled and broke down in the turf race, seriously injuring her left foreleg.

Also injured was Mohawk, who was pulled up on the first turn by jockey Brice Blanc. Mohawk hurt her left foreleg, but it was not life-threatening.