Coroner: Jockey died of accidental overdose
June 3, 2011LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) - Authorities in Kentucky say a jockey found dead in his car at Churchill Downs died from an accidental overdose of cocaine and a prescription pain medication.
Michael Baze was pronounced dead last month in his vehicle in the stable area of the Louisville track.
Jefferson County Deputy Coroner Jim Wesley said Friday that the cause of death was multiple substance intoxication. He says significant amounts of cocaine and the pain medication Oxymorphone were found in Baze's system.
The 24-year-old Baze was facing a cocaine possession charge at the time of his death.
Baze amassed earnings of more than $32 million in a nine-year career. He is the son of retired jockey Mike Baze, and one of his cousins is all-time leading rider Russell Baze.