Solis Is Soaking Up the Scene

A daily look at probable Kentucky Derby favorite Brother Derek, the winner of the Santa Anita Derby. Today, jockey Alex Solis, who has ridden in 14 Derbies and finished second three times, talks to Times staff writer Robyn Norwood about arriving from California overnight to ride Brother Derek on Monday morning in his final workout before the race.

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I rode seven horses at Hollywood Park Sunday, and won two races. My wife and I left California at midnight and got to Cincinnati at 7 in the morning, then drove down here. Luckily, I didn’t get stopped by the cops.

I thought I’d get here by 9. I’m kind of embarrassed. I’ve been to Churchill so many times, and I got lost getting off the freeway. I only know the racetrack. I know where the wire is, that’s it.

Coming to the Derby again after my accident, I want to really appreciate everything. It was at Del Mar, in 2004. The horse clipped heels, I went down and broke my T4 vertebra. It was a nine-hour surgery, and they put two titanium rods in my back. I was out seven months.

With the Derby, usually I would come out for the work, go back to California, ride some races, then come back again Thursday night or early Friday.

This year I’m staying. I’ll try to ride a few here, but I wanted to make sure I spend as much time as possible here in Kentucky. My children are all coming. Everybody’s coming.

I remember my first Derby, on Current Hope [in 1983]. The closest I’ve come was with Captain Bodgit, when Silver Charm won [in 1997.] Right at the eighth pole, I thought I had the race won. Silver Charm came back and beat me. It was heartbreaking, but everybody saw later how good Silver Charm was.

I don’t know how it will feel if I win -- I’ll let you know, if I’m fortunate enough.

I have a wine collection at home. If I win, maybe I’ll open the whole cellar.