Assault Charges Against Solis Dropped

Assault and battery charges stemming from an incident involving a fan on Dec. 30 at Santa Anita have been dismissed against jockey Alex Solis.

Vincent Arias of Chino had filed a complaint with Arcadia police accusing Solis of assault and battery after the ninth race that day. Solis had finished third on Snow Vest, the 9-10 favorite, and was confronted by Arias on his way back to the jockey’s room.

Solis acknowledged hitting Arias with his left hand, but said that he had been provoked and was acting in self defense. After three pre-trial hearings, the charges were dismissed.

According to Harvey Cohen, Solis’ attorney, the California Horse Racing Board also investigated the incident and decided to take no action against Solis.

Horse Racing Notes

Looie Capote, a 10-1 shot, held off Lovely Habit to win the $81,300 Santa Lucia Handicap at Santa Anita. Successful in her first start of 1993 under Kent Desormeaux on March 3, the 4-year-old Capote filly led all the way under Marco Castaneda and won in 1:42 3/5 for the 1 1/16 miles. Guiza, the 6-5 favorite, was third. Owned by Martin and Lois Gellman and trained by Eyal Klayman, Looie Capote paid $22.40 and has won four of 19 starts.

Making his American debut, Norwich won the $250,000 San Francisco Mile at Golden Gate Fields. Ridden by Desormeaux and trained by Gary Jones, Norwich beat Qathif by 1 1/2 lengths. A nose back in third was Luthier Enchanteur. Favored Leger Cat was fifth. Norwich paid $8.40 as the 3-1 second choice. . . . President Clinton’s mother, Virginia Clinton Kelley, made her second visit to Santa Anita, before throwing out the first ball in tonight’s charity softball game matching the jockeys against Hollywood celebrities. Game time is 6:15 p.m. at Arcadia County Park. Tickets are $5 with children under 12 admitted free. Proceeds will benefit the Don MacBeth Memorial Jockey Fund. . . . Lil E. Tee, on the comeback trail after a nine-month layoff, held off Zeeruler to win the Razorback Handicap at Oaklawn Park by 1 1/4 lengths. Lil E. Tee paid $2.80, $2.40 and $2.20 after covering the 1 1-16 miles in 1:42 2-5. . . . Randy Romero rode Dixieland Heat to a two-length victory in the Louisiana Derby at the Fair Grounds in New Orleans. Dixieland Heat paid $4.80, $3.20 and $2.60. Offshore Pirate was second and paid $4.60 and $3.20. Tossofthecoin paid $4.80.