Matt Baker

Matt Baker (1955 – 2017) was an American Quarter Horse trainer and jockey.

Early life Maddox "Matt" Lafayette Baker was born on March 26, 1955, in Columbus, Georgia and died on February 7, 2017. He grew up in Texas, graduating from Deer Park High School in 1974. As a teenager he was a jockey in east Texas and began his training career shortly thereafter.

Racing career Based in Louisiana and Texas, from 1974 to 2007 Baker saddled 4,088 horses, compiling a record of 790 wins, including 17 stakes victories in Texas and Louisiana. His top earner was First Down Toro, who won the 2006 LQHBA Breeders Futurity at Evangeline Downs. He won the 2000 TQHA Sale Futurity with Cash To the Front and had multiple stakes wins with Prince of Strides, Jack Zee Quick, Strider Man and Mr Bar Code.

Other notable racehorses trained by Baker include past AQHA Champions Johnny Vittoro, and Shining Sky.

Multiple Graded Stakes winning trainer 1981 Leading Trainer, Delta Downs "Million-Dollar Trainer" Speedhorse Magazine

Posthumous Honors Matt Baker Memorial Race at Delta Downs

May 12, 2017 Winner: Strong Guns, owned by Lester Colomb Jr., trained by Kenneth Weeks, and ridden by Damian Martinez. May 26, 2018 Winner: Dashing Padre, owned by Rodney Verret, trained by Kenneth Roberts Sr., and ridden by Noe Castaneda. May 18, 2019 Winner: TBD