Braulio Baeza : Article 21

Baeza, On Roberto, Ends British Colt’s Bid to Tie Record

YORK, England, Aug. 15 (1972) (AP) Roberto, ridden by Braulio Baeza who saw the colt for the first time just hours before the race, won the $125,000 Benson and Hedges Gold Cup today and foiled Brigadier Gerard’s bid for a record-equaling 16 straight victories.

“That was a thrill,” said Baeza, after the American-owned 3-year-old won by three lengths from the previously unbeaten Brigadier Gerard owned by Mr. and Mrs. John Hislop and ridden by Joe Mercer.

Ribot of Italy and Citation, the last winner of the United States Triple Crown in 1948 share the record of 16 consecutive triumphs.

“I did not give him [Baeza] any instructions,” said Vincent O’Brien, who trains Roberto for John Galbreath of Columbus, Ohio, the owner of Darby Dan Farms. “I just left it to him.”

Baeza, long a top jockey in the United States, put Roberto into the lead shortly after the start and the English Derby winner stayed there as he covered the 1 5/16 miles in a course-record time of 2:07, 1-5.

Gold Rod, a 33-1 shot ridden by Willie Carson, was third, 10 lengths behind Brigadier Gerard, in a five-horse field.
Baeza received a tremendous ovation from the crowd, which included Queen Elizabeth II, as he dismounted from the 12-1 shot. Roberto carried 112 pounds, 11 fewer than Brigadier Gerard. The victory was worth $77,500 to Galbreath, who also owns the Pittsburgh Pirates. Roberto is named after the Pirates’ star, Roberto Clemente.