Solis Tries to Pad Lead

Through the first nine days of Santa Anita’s winter-spring meet, Alex Solis is clearly the hottest jockey.

Seeking to be the leading rider here for a fourth time, Solis has 16 winners from his first 56 mounts, seven more than runner-up Victor Espinoza.

Hoping to pad his advantage, Solis, who won titles at Santa Anita in 1991-92, 1996-97 and 2001-2002, has five mounts on today’s card.

In the second, he will ride Diamond Tiara for trainer Bruce Headley, then will handle Thunder’s Echo in the fourth, Dorst in the fifth, Revello in the sixth and High Alert in the seventh.

A winner twice in four starts at Santa Anita, Diamond Tiara will try a race of less than a mile for the first time, the $56,000 allowance at six furlongs. In a five-horse field where the four other entrants are front-runners, she could pick them all up from behind.

Thunder’s Echo will be trying for her second consecutive win for trainer Craig Dollase, but will be switching surfaces. After winning on the Hollywood Park main track, she’ll try the Santa Anita turf for the first time in the $52,000 allowance at about 6 1/2 furlongs.

Dorst is a longshot in the fifth, returning to his claimed level ($25,000), Revello will be seeking his first victory at a track other than Hollywood Park and High Alert will be looking for a repeat after breaking his maiden last month in Inglewood.

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Race of the day: Peeping Tom drops out of consecutive Grade III races in search of his 13th victory in today’s eighth at Aqueduct. Shaun Bridgmohan will ride the 7-year-old gelding in the $52,000 optional claimer at six furlongs.

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One for the road: Pincay looks primed to break his maiden in his third start for trainer Barclay Tagg in today’s ninth at Gulfstream Park. The Diesis colt was beaten by a length in his last start at Belmont Park on Sept. 25 and has trained well since arriving in Florida.

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Exotically speaking: A pick four using Ben’s Courage in the fifth, We Have A Problem, Noble Silence and Coconut Mango in the sixth, Vronsky, Lydgate and Leroidesanimaux in the seventh and Purple Toi, Miss American Pie, Beniflower and Sarah’s Caper in the eighth.

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Winners: Previous day/meet total: 4/29. Money: Previous day/meet total: $16.20/$149.80. Total money bet: $160.