Miyadi Arrested After Altercation With Solis

Trainer Steve Miyadi was arrested Sept. 23 after he shoved jockey and California Horse Racing Board commissioner Alex Solis during training hours at Santa Anita Park.

According to inmate records from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, Miyadi was arrested by the Arcadia Police Department, charged with misdemeanor battery, and was held for 43 minutes before being released on $750 bail.

Miyadi, who said he was still able to return to Santa Anita for the late 9 a.m. training session, admitted to shoving Solis.

Both said the altercation began when Solis' agent, Vic Lipton, inquired about the Hall of Famer riding some of Miyadi's horses. Miyadi, who just finished serving a 30-day suspension because one of his horses tested positive for methamphetamine and amphetamine in December, took issue with the question because of Solis' position on the CHRB, which doled out the suspension as a part of a settlement with the trainer.

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"I'm in line getting a cup of coffee and I was a little incredulous that Alex Solis and his agent asked me if I had any horses for them to ride," Miyadi said. "I said 'Alex, how can I ride you when you gave me a 30-day suspension?' He said, 'I don't know anything about your suspension.' When he lied about that, then I got mad. The hotwalkers know about my suspension. If you don't anything about that, you should resign from the CHRB."

Solis said Miyadi began shouting expletives at him.

"I thought he was joking at first, but he started yelling and I told him it wasn't me that gave him the 30 days," Solis said. "It's not my fault his horse tested positive for amphetamine."

Miyadi said Solis then "bellied up to him."

"He got right in my face," the trainer said. "Only my wife is allowed to get that close to me. It was a shove. If someone got arrested every time that happened in the NBA, there wouldn't be any players left."

Solis said the shove knocked him to the ground. He then called Arcadia Police, filed a report, and Miyadi was arrested.

"He could have hurt me," Solis said. "The way he pushed me—this guy weighs 200 pounds and I weigh 115. I pressed charges. I'll talk to a lawyer (about further legal action)."

Solis also explained that his position with the CHRB made the incident different than just an issue between a trainer and jockey.

"His history is yelling at jockeys like they're nothing," Solis said. "Ask anybody in the jockeys' room. That's his history and that's his problem. He forgot one thing. He's talking to me not only as a jockey. I'm a (representative) of the state of California.

"To be honest, most of the trainers are very respectful and they know I'm (with) them. I'm looking out for the best interest of their horses. Most of them are very respectful and classy. I don't want people to think that this is how all trainers are."

Miyadi said the arresting officers apologized to him.

"They said it was a waste of their time," he said.