Alex Solis

Alex Solis is a Panamanian jockey, born on 25 March 1964, who rode mainly in Southern California. He grew up on a farm in San Carlos, Panama, entered jockey school at fourteen, became the leading apprentice in Panama and arrived in the United States in 1982, starting at Calder Race Course in Florida where he was nicknamed El Maestrito. His national breakthrough came in 1986 when he won the Preakness Stakes on Snow Chief. Other major wins include the 2000 Breeders' Cup Sprint on Kona Gold, the 2003 Breeders' Cup Classic on Pleasantly Perfect and the 2004 Dubai World Cup on Pleasantly Perfect. He recorded his 5,000th North American win on 1 January 2015, was elected to the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame in 2014 and announced his retirement from riding on 26 November 2017.