LAUREL, Md. (AP) — Napoleon Solo made headlines with a win in the Preakness Stakes. Trainer Chad Summers is eager for a showdown with Golden Tempo, the Kentucky Derby winner who missed this race. “We were hoping to see him here. Fingers crossed for a future match-up,” Summers said.
Napoleon Solo, who had struggled in previous races, finally found his stride, winning after two fifth-place finishes earlier this year. Golden Tempo’s absence left a wide-open field of 14 horses to compete at Laurel Park, which is temporarily hosting the Preakness while Pimlico is under renovation.
The favorite, Taj Mahal, had the longest odds for a Preakness favorite since 1925. He started strong but couldn’t maintain the pace, paving the way for Napoleon Solo to take the lead near the stretch. Iron Honor tried to catch up but fell 1.25 lengths short, a tough break for his trainer, Chad Brown.
With fewer fans in attendance—only 4,800 this year compared to past numbers—the atmosphere was quieter. Many are concerned about the future of tracks like Laurel. Summers voiced this worry, saying, “Tracks like these are part of our foundation. We need to rally and protect them.”
The Preakness has a dual role: it’s a key step for the Triple Crown and a chance for horses that didn’t make the Derby. This year, only three Derby contenders showed up, making it more of a reset for those looking to rebound.
In a surprising turn, Napoleon Solo clocked in at 1 minute, 58.69 seconds and paid $17.80 on a $2 bet. This victory marked a significant milestone for both Summers and jockey Paco Lopez—both celebrating their first win in a Triple Crown race.
Napoleon Solo showed promise before, winning his first two races last year, including the Champagne Stakes. But inconsistent performances since then led to doubts about his ability. “People will say he didn’t face the toughest competition. We’ll see what he can do this season,” Summers said.
Looking ahead, Napoleon Solo is now targeting the Haskell Stakes at Monmouth Park in July.
The race showcased a full field of 14, the largest since 2011. Despite the hype, Taj Mahal couldn’t keep up after leading early and dropped to 10th place. Trainer Brittany Russell had hoped to be the first female trainer to win the Preakness, but her horse fell short. “He looked good early on, but he just didn’t have the kick at the end,” she explained.
The Preakness is not just about winning—it’s a reflection of the changing landscape of horse racing, where the future of iconic tracks hangs in the balance. As attendance dwindles and competition evolves, the sport faces new challenges.
To stay updated on horse racing developments, visit the AP Horse Racing page.
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Horse racing, Preakness Stakes, MD State Wire, AP Top News, Maryland, Sports, Cherie DeVaux, Chad Brown, Baltimore, Brittany Russell, Paco Lopez, Chad Summers
