(08-14) 20:48 PDT -- When Russell Baze became the first jockey in North America to reach 10,000 winners, he addressed the crowd at Golden Gate Fields on Feb. 1, 2008.

"It's a milestone, but it's not the final milestone," Baze said. "In about three years I should be standing here again."

But Baze took only 2 1/2 years to reach a world-best 11,000, which he did in Saturday's fourth race at the Sonoma County Fair.

Unlike his 10,000th winner, which came by a short nose, Baze didn't have to work hard for No. 11,000 as well-bred first-time starter Separate Forest won the $29,250 maiden-allowance event for fillies and mares by 11 lengths. Separate Forest is trained by Richard Mandella - like Baze, a member of thoroughbred racing's Hall of Fame - who sent the daughter of Forestry from his base at Del Mar.

Baze, 52, was the second jockey in the world to reach 10,000. Brazilian rider Jorge Ricardo made it Jan. 9, 2008, but he has since missed time with injuries and stands at 10,830. Retired Laffit Pincay is second in North America with 9,530 winners.

"When you think about it, 11,000 is a ridiculous number," Baze said after he won the Real Good Deal Stakes with Goggles McCoy on Wednesday at Del Mar for his 10,996th. "I'm just a guy who is lucky enough to be doing something I love; to have enough ability to do it well, and have had enough luck where I've been able to avoid the big injuries and losing a lot of time. It's just all worked out."

Larry Stumes is a freelance writer. E-mail comments to sportinggreen@sfchronicle.com.