The Inside Track by Tim Keithley: NM Native Benito Baca and Family Make First Attempt in All American Futurity Aboard Flashing My PJ’s

When Jockey Benito Baca is introduced making his first-ever appearance in the All American Futurity Monday afternoon aboard Flashing My PJs, his number-one fan is likely to make some noise--in support of his dad.

“That’s Bentley,” Baca said in the barn area this week. “When I’m on the race track I can hear his voice above everything else. He is always paying attention to me and the race horses. He comes around after each race and gives me a full report. He says, “Come on Dad! You gotta win!”

Baca and his wife Maria have four-year-old Bentley and ten-month-old Saylor. Benito’s riding career seems to completely revolve around his wife and kids.

“Maria and I met at Remington Park many years ago and we’ve been a team ever since,” Baca said. “I remember one time Maria drove our entire family from Iowa to Ruidoso all night so that I could get some sleep and ride the next day. We are a close-knit group and we support each other.”

Baca, 27, is a New Mexico native from a little town called Tecolotito. His father trained horses; that’s how he got started at about the same age as his son today. “Back when I was young, it was all cows and horses,” Baca said. “It’s a dream come true to be riding in the All American coming from such small beginnings. My entire family is very proud, and they motivate me to do well.”

Baca knows all about his mount Flashing my PJs. He first worked the filly in the mornings at Remington Park this spring and rode her in her first race--the now-famous trial race where she was behind and came back from sixth place to win in the final 100-yards of a 350-yard trial. The filly ran second in her mid-summer Rainbow trial here to Cyber Monday, and then handily qualified for the All American with the fastest time of the entire two days of trials, 21.203 seconds for 440-yards for trainer John Stinebaugh.

“I have always noticed what an outstanding horsemen and trainer John can be,” Baca said. “He has a tremendous sense of how to get the most out of his horses, and I am very grateful that he gave me a chance with this filly. If she breaks, she can win it—this filly is well- bred and extremely talented.”