Solis Elected Into Hall Of Fame, Added To Jockey Challenge On Black-Eyed Susan Day
Solis Elected Into Hall Of Fame, Added To Jockey Challenge On Black-Eyed Susan Day
B
ALTIMORE, 04-25-14---Alex Solis, who guided Snow Chief to victory in the 1986 Preakness Stakes (G1) was elected into The National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame earlier this afternoon. The 50-year-old was also added to the lineup for the Hall of Fame Jockey Challenge on Black-Eyed Susan Day at Pimlico Race Course.
The $50,000 Jockey's Challenge, presented by Xpressbet, will feature the eight active Hall of Fame riders who have combined to win 49,797 races in North America with earnings of more than $1.8 billion through April 24.
Solis joins Gary Stevens (1997 Hall of Fame inductee), Russell Baze (1999), Mike Smith (2003), Kent Desormeaux (2004), Edgar Prado (2008), John Velazquez (2012) and Calvin Borel (2013) to compete in four races on Friday, May 16 with points awarded based upon their finish.
The jockey with the most points at the end of the competition will be crowned champion. Riding assignments are determined by a drawing Sunday, May 11, and jockeys receive points for finishing first (12 points), second (6), third (4) and fourth (3) in each race.
The champion jockey will earn $17,500. Other prize money: $10,000 (second), $5,000 (third), $4,500 (fourth), $4,000 (fifth), $3,500 (sixth), $3,000 (seventh) and $2,500 (eighth).
Austin Solis, Alex’s 21-year-old son, recently joined the Pimlico jockey colony. The apprentice rode a pair of winners last Saturday and scored in this afternoon’s opener aboard 10-1 shot Baby Got Boots.
The others in the 2014 Hall of Fame class will be 2007 Preakness winner Curlin, Ashado and trainer Gary Jones. Laurel Park-based sprinting sensation Xtra Heat was a finalist.
About Pimlico Race Course
Historic Pimlico Race Course, home of the Preakness® Stakes, the middle jewel in horse racing's famed Triple Crown, first opened its doors on October 25, 1870, and is the second oldest racetrack in the United States. Pimlico has played host to racing icons and Baltimoreans have seen the likes of legendary horses such as Man o’ War, Seabiscuit, Secretariat, Affirmed and Cigar thunder down the stretch in thrilling and memorable competition. For more information on Pimlico, visit www.pimlico.com.
Pimlico Race Course is a Stronach Group company, North America’s leading Thoroughbred racetrack owner/operator. The Stronach Group racetracks include Santa Anita Park, Gulfstream Park & Casino, Golden Gate Fields, Portland Meadows, Laurel Park and Pimlico Race Course, home of the world-famous Preakness. The company owns and operates the Palm Meadows Training Center in Florida and is one of North America's top race horse breeders through its award-winning Adena Springs operation. The Stronach Group is one of the world's largest suppliers of pari-mutuel wagering systems, technologies and services. Its companies include AmTote, a global leader in wagering technology; Xpressbet, an Internet and telephone account wagering service; and Monarch Content Management, which acts as a simulcast purchase and sales agent of horseracing content for numerous North American racetracks and wagering outlets. The Stronach Group is also a major producer of televised horse racing programming through its HRTV cable and satellite network and is North America's premier supplier of virtual online horse racing games, as well as a leading producer of social media content for the horseracing industry.
