Solis Will Have a Busy Day

Although Patrick Valenzuela will win the jockey title at Hollywood Park, he is not the highest percentage rider in the top five.

Alex Solis, who is second in the standings with 54 victories, 13 less than Valenzuela, holds that honor.

Having recently returned from a short vacation to Mexico with his family, Solis is winning at a 25% clip, compared to 19% for Valenzuela. He has earned his 54 victories with only 213 mounts, compared to Valenzuela’s 67 from 359 mounts.

Entering the final five days of the meet before the scene shifts to Del Mar a week from today, Solis should be busy this afternoon.

He is named to ride in seven of the eight races, starting with 2-year-old first-timer Dutchess Eben in the first.

Owned by Charles Kenis and 3 Plus U Stable and trained by Caesar Dominguez, the Cherokee Run filly has trained pretty well after being purchased for $65,000 earlier this year.

Solis will ride another maiden, Sharshanna, for Dominguez in the second, then he will be aboard Lou’s Expectation in the fourth, Main Player (making his turf debut) in the fifth, Fringe Comment (another first for Dominguez) in the sixth, Irish Warrior in the seventh and Timely Toss in the eighth. On paper, Solis’ best chances for victory look to be on Lou’s Expectation and Irish Warrior.

Valenzuela has five mounts today. He will be aboard longshot Here Me Out in the third, contender French Warpaint in the fourth, likely favorite Rumor Patrol in the fifth, Give Away Joe in the sixth and Geo Quercus in the seventh.

Race of the day: Irish Warrior, a tough-luck loser in his latest for trainer Wally Dollase, will try to make amends in the seventh, a $58,000 optional claimer at 1 1/16 miles on the turf.

Who’s hot: Wayne Catalano. The leading trainer at Arlington Park won with 19 of his first 46 starters.

Who’s not: Rodney Prescott. The jockey lost with 27 of his first 28 mounts at Ellis Park.

Exotically speaking: A pick three singling I’mmuchthebest in the second, using From A To Z, Royal Moro and Sandra’s Pride in the third and Lou’s Expectation, More Influence and French Warpaint in the fourth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 5/159. Money: Previous day/meet total: $29.80/$903.20. Total money bet: $1,034.