Autopsy performed on Michael Baze, inconclusive

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Louisville, KY (Sports Network) - An autopsy performed Wednesday on jockey Michael Baze has proven to be inconclusive for the cause of the 24-year-old's death. Baze was discovered dead Tuesday afternoon in his car at Churchill Downs.

The Jefferon County, KY coroner's office was unable to determine a cause of death after performing a preliminary autopsy. Foul play is not believed to be involved, according to police. Results of the toxicology tests will not be available for several weeks.

Emergency personnel discovered Baze in his Cadillac Escalade with the engine running shortly before 5 p.m. (et) Tuesday in the track's stable area.

Baze, a cousin of Hall of Fame jockey Russell Baze, was to have appeared for a preliminary hearing on Thursday in district Court on a charge of possession of a controlled substance. He was arrested last November for possessing cocaine.

A native of Washington state, Baze had been the rider of Kentucky Derby runner-up Nehro. He rode the colt in the three-year-old's maiden victory and was aboard for a second-place finish in the Louisiana Derby. Corey Nakatani replaced Baze in the Arkansas Derby and Run for the Roses.