Solis Riding High in the Saddle

Alex Solis, the leading jockey at Del Mar, looks to be headed to another riding title at Oak Tree.

Starting the third week of the meet, which concludes Nov. 5, Solis has 17 victories, putting him six ahead of Laffit Pincay Jr.

Solis has few opportunities to add to his total today. On a card where the average field size is eight runners--but where a carryover of more than $509,881.54 awaits Pick Six players--Solis has three mounts. He is named on 8-1 longshot View At The Top in the fifth, 7-2 second choice Royal Highlander in the seventh and 4-1 longshot Molly Rose in the eighth.

Royal Highlander appears to be his best chance. A talented but lightly raced Irish bred, the 4-year-old will be running for the first time since he won his U.S. debut Dec. 23 at Hollywood Park.

Owned by a partnership that includes Barry Irwin and Jeff Siegel’s Team Valor and Gary Barber and trained by Jenine Sahadi, Royal Highlander has won two of three. He won his career debut as a 2-year-old, and when he won at Hollywood Park late last year, he had been sidelined for more than eighth months before that race.

The 9-5 favorite in the race of about 61/2 furlongs is Trampus Too, who hasn’t run since winning his second consecutive turf sprint on May 4 for trainer Wesley Ward.

Race of the day: In terms of quality, the sixth isn’t much of a race, but the 51/2-furlong race for cheap California-bred fillies and mares offers the day’s largest field (11) and an upset is a distinct possibility. The fact the morning line favorite is 7-2 tells you how open the race is.

Who’s hot: Russell Baze. The best rider in Northern California won five times at Bay Meadows on Monday and has established a clear lead again over Frank Alvarado.

Who’s not: Nick Zito. The New York-based trainer suffered through a horrible meet at Saratoga and he’s not exactly knocking them dead at Belmont Park. The overrated A P Valentine has been retired after a dismal effort in Saturday’s Jockey Club Gold Cup and Albert The Great looks like a horse who is tired after a tough campaign.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using Gobi Dan and Pick Of The Valley in the fifth, all in the sixth and singling Royal Highlander in the seventh.