HOF Jockey Alex Solis Appointed to CHRB

Hall of Fame jockey Alex Solis has been appointed to the California Horse Racing Board by Gov. Jerry Brown, the governor's office announced April 30.



Solis, 51, has been riding since 1981 and has 5,004 victories entering Thursday's races (he has a mount at Santa Anita Park), including 321 graded stakes. His most recent winner was aboard Metaboss in this year's El Camino Real Derby (gr. III) at Golden Gate Fields. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2014.

"I'm very pleased that the governor appointed Alex to the board. Having a rider will bring a new dimension to our process that has been missing," said CHRB chairman Chuck Winner. "I've known Alex since he began riding in California. He's a terrific jockey and a man of integrity, who is well respected throughout the industry."

The jockey will replace Bo Derek, who recently resigned.

"I'm grateful for the opportunity to have been able to work on welfare and safety issues from the inside of the sport I love," Derek said. "And I'm thrilled that Alex Solis is joining the Board. He has so much to offer."



The CHRB appointment still needs to be confirmed by the state Senate, but Solis, a Democrat, said he'll do his best to represent the horsemen on the backside of California's racetracks as the only jockey on the board.



"I was offered and thought about it for a while," Solis said. "I've had a 30-year career in horse racing. I can (represent) not only riders, but everyone on the backside. I've been around so many great horsemen and there are so many little details we can include. We're all here for the same reason."



Solis also said he'll continue to ride while working on the board.



"Don't retire me yet," he said with a laugh.