Baeza (McKinzie), winner of last term's GI Pennsylvania Derby and an unlucky third after completely missing the break in his 2026 return in the GII Alysheba S. May 1, is aiming to make his next start in a star-studded renewal of the $2-million GI Stephen Foster S. at Churchill Downs June 27.The 'Win and You're In' for the GI Breeders' Cup Classic at Keeneland is also expected to showcase a highly anticipated rematch between 2023 Breeders' Cup Classic winner White Abarrio (Race Day) and 2025 Horse of the Year Sovereignty (Into Mischief), one-two in the GII Oaklawn H. Apr. 18; and last-out G1 Dubai World Cup winner Magnitude (Not This Time).The blue-blooded Baeza, a $1.2-million Keeneland September yearling and a half-brother to Classic winners Mage (Good Magic) and Dornoch (Good Magic), was also third in last year's GI Kentucky Derby and GI Belmont Stakes.“You can't line up a better race,” said Lee Searing of C R K Stable, who campaigns Baeza in partnership with the colt's breeder Robert Clay of Grandview Equine.“Here come four, five outstanding horses that are gonna hook up in this race. Baeza is doing wonderful. I'm enjoying talking to Bill Mott and our conversations. He's a pleasure and the horse is doing great.”Bill Mott took over training duties on Baeza following the passing of John Shirreffs this past February. Shirreffs trained C R K's GISWs Beyond Brilliant (Twirling Candy), Express Train (Union Rags) and Honor A. P. (Honor Code).Baeza has posted four workouts at Mott's Saratoga base since the Alysheba, most recently breezing five furlongs in 1:02.85 (3/5) over the Oklahoma Training Track June 13. Baeza was sixth in his final start for Shirreffs in the Breeders' Cup Classic.Lee Searing (third from right) celebrates Baeza's win in the Pennsylvania Derby | Walter Wlodarczyk“I miss John,” Searing said. “I'm sure he's looking down and patting Bill on the back and saying, 'You're doing a good job.'”C R K Stable's Englishman (Maxfield), meanwhile, has the GI H. Allen Jerkens Memorial ticketed as his major summer goal at Saratoga Aug. 29.A well-beaten second behind Crude Velocity (Beau Liam) in the battle of unbeaten 'TDN Rising Stars, presented by Hagyard' in the GII Pat Day Mile S., he turned the tables on that rival with authority on the cutback to seven furlongs in the GI Woody Stephens S. on Belmont Stakes day.The $240,000 Keeneland November weanling turned $400,000 Keeneland September yearling equaled Darby Creek Road's track record of 1:20.40 set in 1978. He earned a head-turning 115 Beyer Speed Figure for the effort.“We knew that once we drew a better post position going a furlong shorter, it was going to be very difficult to catch our horse, but it was going to be a fun race to watch–two really really good horses,” Searing said.“We've tied two track records and the horse is three out of four. He's a beautiful horse and is traveling really well today. We're onward to the Allen Jerkens. The horse is doing great, I hope it continues. I love the horse.”C R K Stable's 'Rising Star' Remember Mamba (Kitten's Joy), winner of the GIII UK HealthCare Transylvania S. at Keeneland and runner-up to Stark Contrast (Caravaggio) in the GI American Turf S. May 2, will make his next start in the GI Belmont Derby at Saratoga July 4.Both Englishman and Remember Mamba are conditioned by Cherie DeVaux, trainer of this year's Kentucky Derby winner and Belmont Stakes winner and 'Rising Star' Golden Tempo (Curlin).“Cherie is just a wonderful person and is the face of new trainers having quality horses,” Searing said. “She's done a really good job. She's won a number of races for us.”The post ‘You Can’t Line Up a Better Race’ – Baeza Set for Summer Showdown in Stephen Foster appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.