Solis’ Quick Trip to Saratoga Means a Victory Gallop Ride

Jockey Alex Solis will be taking an unexpected trip to Saratoga today to get together with an old friend on Saturday.

With Gary Stevens sidelined after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his left knee earlier this week, Solis has regained the mount on Victory Gallop for the $750,000 Travers Stakes, which will be telecast live Saturday on ESPN.

After winning the Arkansas Derby on the son of Cryptoclearance and finishing second to Real Quiet in the Kentucky Derby, Solis was replaced by Stevens for the Preakness. Victory Gallop finished second in the Preakness, then kept Real Quiet from winning the Triple Crown with a nose victory in the Belmont Stakes.

“I’m very happy to be back with the horse,” said Solis. “Horses like him don’t come around very often.”

In the 1 1/4-mile Travers, Victory Gallop will be trying to turn the tables on Coronado’s Quest, who defeated him earlier this month in the Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park.

Trained by Elliott Walden for Prestonwood Farm, the colt who has been first or second in 10 of 11 starts, will race coupled in the betting with Sheila’s Flag, and the entry was established the 7-5 morning line favorite.

Coronado’s Quest, who didn’t run in any of the Triple Crown races, is the 8-5 second choice as he shoots for his fourth consecutive win. Before the Haskell, he had won the Wood Memorial and the Riva Ridge in New York. He was scheduled to run in the Preakness, but was scratched because of to a bruised hoof.

Five others are set to go in the Travers, a Grade I in which each horse will carry 126 pounds. From the inside out, Grand Slam, who finished third in the Haskell; Dice Dancer, Archers Bay, Deputy Diamond and Raffie’s Majesty complete the field.

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Stevens began rehabilitation on his injured knee Thursday, two days after Dr. Michael Kimball performed surgery to repair a torn ligament.

The top rider in the country with more than $12.3 million in purses and the leader locally with nine stakes victories, Stevens was injured Sunday when Isitever, a 2-year-old first-time starter, made a sudden move to his right while warming up before the day’s fourth race. In adjusting to the move to keep his balance, Stevens wrenched the knee.

Agent Ron Anderson said Stevens hopes to return in 2-3 weeks, but won’t ride again at Del Mar, which concludes Sept. 9.

“Gary is such a good healer it may take even less time,” said Anderson. “He’s feeling good and eager to get into rehabilitation.”

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Trainer Bob Baffert will try for his third Del Mar Debutante victory in the last four years when he sends out Silverbulletday and Excellent Meeting in the seven-furlong race Saturday.

Unbeaten in three starts, including the Sorrento Stakes over this track on Aug. 8., Silverbulletday will be favored in the $250,000 Debutante, which Baffert won last year with Vivid Angel and Batroyale in 1995.

The trainer will also be represented by Excellent Meeting, who was second in the Sorrento and figures to benefit from the additional distance.

Jockey Eddie Delahoussaye will ride Silverbulletday for the first time on Saturday; Desormeaux will replace Solis on Excellent Meeting.

Seven other 2-year-old fillies were entered Thursday morning for the Grade II: Storm Cove, Colorado Song, Miss Diablo’s Gold, Darlin Echo, Antahkarana, Memoranda and Time To Meet.

Horse Racing Notes

Del Mar will offer the 11th Rocking Chair Derby, an exhibition featuring eight former jockeys, between the sixth and seventh race on Saturday’s card. Those scheduled to compete are Alex Maese, Ray York, Rudy Campas, Jack Leonard, Rudy Rosales, Danny Velasquez, Bill Harmatz and Frank Olivares. . . . Skip Away will carry top weight of 131 pounds when he makes his first start since winning the Hollywood Gold Cup on June 28 in the $500,000 Philip H. Iselin Handicap on Sunday at Monmouth Park. . . . Jockey Paco Mena’s $29.40 victory aboard Grandma Luckey was his first win at Del Mar since 1991. . . . Second to Military earlier in the meeting in the Kobuk King, Blue Sky is the 2-1 favorite in today’s feature, the $66,000 How Now at 1 3/8 miles on the turf.