For reference, I have also found this is a good jquery method. 1. Give your submit button a more meaningful and unique name by using: SQLFORM(.... submit_button = 'mysearchbutton', ....)
2. Using jquery in your view, use the value of the button to add an id or
class:
$('input:submit[value=mysearchbutton]').attr('id', 'mynewID');
or class:
$('input:submit[value=mysearchbutton]').addClass('mynewclass');

