Solis Bids for 5,000th Win at Los Alamitos

Inducted into the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame in August, jockey Alex Solis has two opportunities to collect the 5,000th victory of his illustrious career Friday at Los Alamitos.

One win shy of the milestone, Solis, 50, is scheduled to ride maidens Autumn Flower in the fourth race and Keezheekoni in the eighth. The two mounts will be the first for the Panamanian native at the inaugural Winter thoroughbred meet at Los Alamitos, which began Dec. 4.

If Solis wins Friday, he would become the 29th rider to earn at least 5,000 victories.

Solis, whose first win came aboard Bionica Nov. 7, 1981 at Presidente Remon in his homeland, currently ranks 10th all-time in career earnings ($236,070,330).

Significant successes include the 1985 Preakness with the Mel Stute-trained Snow Chief and three Breeders’ Cup victories - Kona Gold (2000 Sprint), Johar (dead-heat with High Chaparral in 2003 Turf) and Pleasantly Perfect (2003 Classic) - as well as 18 riding titles in Southern California.

Source: Los Alamitos Race Course