There’s a common phrase in horse racing that says “horses aren’t machines,” and the truth behind this phrase is rarely more apparent than when a talented horse isn’t quite running to expectations. Such was the case with a talented colt named Lure, who began his career in 1991 by breaking a track record for five furlongs at Belmont Park only to lose four of his next six races.

Hopes and dreams carried Hall of Fame jockey Alex Solis far.

He had grown up poor on a farm in San Carlos, Panama and was determined to change that for himself and his family when he left his homeland for South Florida in 1982. He can still remember the tears his mother, Isabelle, shed the day he left.