BloodHorse.com | Horse Racing News

Solis Nears Return to Action at Gulfstream

Jockey Alex Solis, a finalist in this year's Hall of Fame voting, is nearing a return to action at Gulfstream Park after being sidelined for five months while recuperating from surgery on his left shoulder.

Ashado, Lure Top Hall of Fame Finalists

Two-time champion Ashado and four-time grade I winner Lure join two other Thoroughbreds, five jockeys, and one trainer as finalists for this year's Racing Hall of Fame class.

Field Fills for Arlington-Washington Lassie

An overflow field of 14 juvenile fillies including stakes winners Sweet Redemption, American Sugar and Gold Edge passed the entry box for the $150,000 Arlington-Washington Lassie (gr. III), run at a one-turn mile Sept. 8.

Forte Dei Marmi Forges Home in Sky Classic

Forte Dei Marmi unleashed a devastating turn of foot in the homestretch to register an upset in the $266,930 Sky Classic Stakes (Can-IIT) for his first North American added-money victory Aug. 19 at Woodbine.

Filly Irish Mission Wins Breeders' Showdown

Fillies accounted for two-thirds of the 2012 Canadian Triple Crown when the late-running Irish Mission outfought Aldous Snow to capture the $506,739 Breeders' Stakes by a half-length on the Woodbine turf Aug. 5.

Ontario Matron: Stars to Shine Extends Streak

Favored Stars to Shine, making her second start of the year, overcame some traffic issues to run down pacesetter Hooh Why in the stretch, winning the $151,072 Ontario Matron Stakes (Can-III) July 22 at Woodbine.

Solis Guides Blue Heart to Bison City Victory

Blue Heart, getting a textbook ride from Alex Solis, overtook front-running Casa Loma and favored Black Bird Rock in deep stretch to capture the $245,875 Bison City Stakes by 1 3/4 lengths at Woodbine July 1.

Improving Irish Mission Claims Woodbine Oaks

Irish Mission provided trainer Mark Frostad his fourth win in the Woodbine Oaks - Presented by Budweiser when she edged away from her rivals in the final strides June 3.

Ravelo's Boy Confirmed for Belmont Stakes

Following a seven-furlong work in 1:28 1/5 over a fast track at Calder Sunday morning, trainer Manny Azpurua confirmed that Korina Stable's Ravelo's Boy will contest the Belmont Stakes.

Data Link Edges Turallure in Maker's 46 Mile

Stuart Janney III's homebred Data Link came from off the pace to run down favored Turallure in the final jumps, capturing the $300,000 Maker's 46 Mile (gr. IT) at odds of 12-1 April 13 at Keeneland.

Attfield, 4 Horses Among New HOF Finalists

Five newcomers and five returning finalists comprise the 2012 Hall of Fame ballot. The first-time finalists are trainer Roger Attfield and Thoroughbreds Ashado, Ghostzapper, Housebuster, and Xtra Heat.

Panama: A Visit to the Pincay Jockey Academy

Hammer Time's Deirdre Biles continues her Panama trip with a visit to the Pincay Jockey Academy.

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Somali Lemonade Sweeps to Smart Jessamine Win

Favored Somali Lemonade is on her way to the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (gr. IIT) after sweeping to victory in the $150,000 JPMorgan Chase Jessamine Stakes (gr. IIIT) on a yielding Keeneland grass course Oct. 13.

Flat Out Breaks Through in JCGC Triumph

Runner-up to a pair of the country's top horses in his last two starts, Flat Out was not to be denied this time, as he returned to his favorite track and won the $750,000 Jockey Club Gold Cup (gr. I) Oct. 1 at Belmont

Hungry Island Stops 'Memories' in Lake Placid

Fast-closing Hungry Island ran her winning streak to four races when she blew past her rivals in the final furlong to take the $150,000 Woodford Reserve Lake Placid Stakes (gr. IIT) going away by 2 1/2 lengths at Saratoga.

Tar Heel Mom Slam Dunks Honorable Miss Foes

Front-running Tar Heel Mom overpowered her four rivals in the $150,000 Honorable Miss Handicap (gr. II), drawing off in the stretch for a 5 3/4-length romp at Saratoga Aug. 7.

Air Support Blows Virginia Derby Foes Away

Air Support, coming from the clouds, surged past 20-1 shot Casino Host in deep stretch to capture the $600,000 Virginia Derby (gr. IIT) by a neck over the closing Banned on the turf at Colonial Downs July 16.

Flat Out Surprises in Suburban Handicap

The longest shot on the board in a field of six, Flat Out swept by everyone at the eighth-pole and rolled through the stretch to score the $300,000 Suburban Handicap (gr. II) by 6 1/2 lengths July 2 at Belmont.

Rail Trip Second in Comeback to Friend Or Foe

Grade I winner Rail Trip made a favorable impression in his first start since the Jockey Club Gold Cup (gr. I) last fall, returning to Belmont Park June 5 with a strong runner-up finish behind Friend Or Foe in the Easy Goer.

Solis Caps Four-Win Day with Tar Heel Mom

Jockey Alex Solis won his fourth race at Gulfstream Park April 17 when odds-on choice Tar Heel Mom drew off in the stretch for a 3 1/2-length win in the $51,650 Harmony Lodge Handicap.

Borel, Gomez Head Hall of Fame Nominees

Jockeys Calvin Borel, Garrett Gomez, and John Velazquez and trainer Jerry Hollendorfer are first-time finalists for election to the National Museum of Racing's Hall of Fame.

Long Island: Mekong Melody Sings Winning Tune

David Egan's homebred Mekong Melody stayed perfect in three tries at the marathon distance of 12 furlongs as she sprinted away in the stretch to score convincingly in the $150,000 Long Island Handicap (gr. IIIT) Nov. 13.

Injured Rider Martinez Becomes a Father

On the same day paralyzed Northern California jockey Michael Martinez learned he is not a candidate for using embryonic stem cells to treat his severed spinal cord in a clinical trial, he became a father.

Rider Martinez Improves After 11-Hour Surgery

Jockey Michael Martinez, who ranks second in the rider standings at Golden Gate Fields, was in critical but stable condition Sept. 13 after nearly 11 hours of emergency surgery overnight at Oakland's Highland Hospital.

Here Comes Ben Pulls Forego Upset

In a star-studded field that included some of the biggest name sprinters on the East Coast, it was little-known Here Comes Ben that came from off the pace to spring a 9-1 upset in the $250,000 Forego Stakes (gr. I) Sept. 4.

Pleasant Prince Snatches Ohio Derby at Wire

Favored Pleasant Prince closed with a burst to snatch victory from Worldly by a nose at the wire of the $100,000 Ohio Derby (gr. III) at Thistledown July 31.

Danzon Captures Thrilling Locust Grove

Danzon, claimed for $80,000 in her laast prior start, prevailed in a wild photo finish that saw six horses finish within about two lengths of each other in the $116,200 Locust Grove Handicap (gr. IIIT) July 3.

Mandurah Sets World Record for Mile on Turf

A world record for a one-mile turf race was established at Monmouth Park June 6 when Colvin Green's Mandurah won a starter handicap in 1:31.23 on a firm course at the New Jersey racetrack.

Tanda Wins Railbird; Acorn Could be Next

Tanda held off favored Switch through the stretch to register her second straight graded stakes victory in the $100,000 Railbird Stakes (gr. III) at Hollywood Park May 9.

Point Given Heads Hall of Fame 2010 Finalists

Point Given, the 2001 Horse of the Year and champion 3-year-old male, is among six equine finalists for election to the National Museum of Racing's Hall of Fame in Saratoga Springs

Alex Solis Moves Tack to Kentucky

Alex Solis, a successful fixture on the Southern California circuit for 25 years, will begin riding full time in Kentucky, agent Brian Beach said.

Tanda Rockets to Santa Paula Surprise

Tanda, the longest shot in the field, got a dream run at the rail through the stretch to dominate the $100,000 Santa Paula Stakes (gr. III) at Santa Anita March 28.

Alphie's Bet Proves Best in Rescheduled Sham

Terese McWilliams' California homebred Alphie's Bet pulled clear at the top of the stretch and raced home a 2 1/4-length winner in the $150,000 Sham Stakes (gr. III), a 3-year-old race rescheduled from last weekend.

Striking Dancer Avoids Crowd, Wins La Canada

Jockey Alex Solis kept the late-running Striking Dancer clear of traffic and the daughter of Smart Strike did the rest, causing a 13-1 upset in the $150,000 La Canada Stakes (gr. II) at Santa Anita on Valentine's Day.

Santa Anita Raising Money For Quake Victims

The Santa Anita jockeys' colony and Santa Anita Park have joined forces to send aid to earthquake victims via the American Red Cross.

Magical Fantasy Wraps Up Yellow Ribbon

Ridden patiently by Alex Solis, heavily favored Magical Fantasy captured her third consecutive grade I event when she overtook Visit mid-stretch and held off the late charge of Black Mamba to win Oak Tree's $300,000 Yellow Ribbon Stakes (gr. IT) at Santa Anita Oct. 10.

Spring House Home Again in Del Mar Handicap

Spring House earned a repeat victory in the $250,000 Del Mar Handicap (gr. IIT) when he came from far off the pace Aug. 30 to catch the outsider Sir Dave by an extremely short nose on the turf.

Mabee Becomes a Reality For Magical Fantasy

Magical Fantasy earned her third consecutive graded stakes score by coming from off the pace to win the $350,000 John C. Mabee (gr. IT) under Alex Solis Aug. 16 at Del Mar.

Meteore Rises to the Top in La Jolla Handicap

Meteore was in last place coming off the far turn with seemingly nowhere to go. But once jockey Alex Solis found room with a sweeping four-wide move it was clear sailing from there, as the son of Pulpit picked up all eight of his rivals en route to a 1 1/2-length victory in the $150,000 La Jolla Handicap (gr. IIT) Aug. 15 on the Del Mar turf course.

Solis, Gryder Apparently OK After Breakdown

Jockeys Alex Solis and Aaron Gryder apparently escaped injury at Del Mar Aug. 9 when both were unseated following the backstretch breakdown of a horse in the 10th race.

Starlarks Ascends in San Clemente Surprise

Starlarks flew from last for jockey Alex Solis to head Strawberry Tart in the final couple of jumps, winning the San Clemente Handicap (gr. IIT) in an 11-1 surprise at Del Mar Aug. 1.

Magical Fantasy Conjures Gamely Surprise

Magical Fantasy had much to do under Alex Solis to win the $250,000 Gamely Stakes (gr. IT), but she proved equal to the task, edging Visit and Diamond Diva in the final couple of jumps in a terrific finish at Hollywood Park May 30.

Charlie's Moment Times it Well in Laz Barrera

Charlie's Moment shook off Backbackbackgone early and was never headed in winning the $100,000 Lazaro Barrera Memorial (gr. III) for his first graded stakes tally May 24 at Hollywood Park.

'Big Three' Drill for Santa Anita Derby

The Pamplemousse, Pioneerof the Nile and Chocolate Candy, the three top choices for the $750,000 Santa Anita Derby (gr. I) on April 4, each worked on the track's Pro-Ride racing surface March 25.

Animal Planet to Renew 'Jockeys'

Animal Planet announced March 19 that the network's popular docu-drama "Jockeys" would be renewed for a second season of programs. The first season, which concluded March 13, brought Animal Planet viewers into the lives of seven jockeys who race at Santa Anita Park during its Oak Tree Meet last fall.

The Pamplemousse Gets Loose in Sham Win

Trainer Julio Canani insists he doesn't have Derby fever yet. But after the way his The Pamplemousse glided to victory as the 1-2 choice in the $200,000 Sham Stakes (gr. III) at Santa Anita Feb. 28, that's going to be more difficult to believe as time marches on toward the first Saturday in May.

Baffert Among 11 Hall of Fame Finalists

Two trainers -- Bob Baffert and Robert Wheeler -- are among 11 finalists for election to the National Museum of Racing's Hall of Fame this year.

Spring House Doubles Up in 'Obispo

Spring House successfully defended his San Luis Obispo Handicap (gr. IIT) title on the Santa Anita turf Feb. 22, surging past odds-on favorite Zambezi Sun in deep stretch to win the $150,000 event.

'Jockeys' Series Shares Insiders' View

The thrills. The spills. The rivalries, rage, and romances. And yes, the flipping, too. It's all there in a new 12-part documentary television series, "Jockeys."

Alex Solis, Agent Split After 16 Years

One of racing's long-standing jockey/agent relationships came to an end when jockey Alex Solis handed agent Scotty McClellan his pink slip Jan. 27 after a successful run of 16 years.