Napoleon Solo conquers Preakness

May 16, 2026 Kellie Reilly/Brisnet.com

Napoleon Solo was back to his brilliant best in the Preakness (Photo by Horsephotos.com)

Brilliant in last fall’s Champagne (G1) but subpar in his preps this spring, Napoleon Solo returned to top form in Saturday’s $2 million Preakness (G1). The 7.90-1 chance gave owner Al Gold (who races as Gold Square), trainer Chad Summers, and jockey Paco Lopez their first-ever victory in a Triple Crown race.

Napoleon Solo finished fifth in both the Fountain of Youth (G2) and Wood Memorial (G2), prompting his connections to regroup rather than press ahead for the Kentucky Derby (G1). The speedy gray had earned 25 points, which would have been enough to enter the Derby as an also-eligible. Given the defections during Derby Week, he would have gotten into the starting gate at Churchill Downs. But he was still in the process of coming back to his best physically, and the plan to give him a little extra time paid off.

Even so, connections initially weren’t sure what Napoleon Solo’s next target should be. Considering that his spectacular performance came in the Champagne’s one-turn mile, one logical option was a cutback in distance. Gold credited Lopez, who rode him for the first time in the Wood, for recommending the Preakness.

Although there was a lot of speed signed on for the Preakness, as there was for the Derby, the slightly shorter distance of the middle jewel helped his chances. So did the configuration of 1 3/16 miles at Laurel Park, site of this year’s Preakness as its traditional home of Pimlico undergoes redevelopment.

Napoleon Solo broke running from post 10 and took up a forward position tracking Taj Mahal, the 4.70-1 favorite. The locally-based hope for Brittany Russell, who was trying to become the first woman trainer to win the Preakness, Taj Mahal hoped to carry his speed all the way from his rail post. Yet his opening quarter in :22.66 was a touch fast, and after a half-mile in :46.66, he continued to decelerate through six furlongs in 1:12.08.

Rounding the far turn, Napoleon Solo went on the attack in what proved to be the winning move. The son of 2015 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1) hero Liam’s Map struck the front and braced for challenges down the stretch.

Laurel has two finish lines, depending on the distance of the race, and the 1 3/16-mile Preakness ends at the first wire. As it happened, the only serious threat came at the top of the lane, and no one was making a dent deeper in the stretch.

Iron Honor, who had been stalking a couple of lengths back, advanced turning for home and loomed briefly. But Napoleon Solo found more to kick away from him. Iron Honor soldiered on to keep the winning margin to 1 1/4 lengths.

Chip Honcho, likewise part of the stalking group, checked in another 3 1/4 lengths back in third. The maiden Ocelli, who was third in the Derby, fared best of the closers in fourth. Next came Incredibolt, the Derby sixth, who rallied from even further back for fifth. Bull by the Horns, The Hell We Did, Great White, Robusta, Taj Mahal, Corona de Oro, Talkin, Crupper, and the eased Pretty Boy Miah rounded out the order of finish.

Napoleon Solo clocked 1:58.69 and rewarded his loyalists with a $17.80 payout. The $40,000 bargain Keeneland September yearling purchase has now earned $1,560,520 from his 3-for-5 record.

Gold is known for giving his horses unusually colorful names. Earlier on Preakness Day, his filly I Love Giraffes won a turf allowance, also for Summers and Lopez. Gold’s had other performers on the Triple Crown trail, notably 2022 Arkansas Derby (G1) winner Cyberknife.

Summers is best known for training two-time Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1) hero Mind Your Biscuits, an earner of more than $4.2 million.

“There’s been a lot of trials and tribulations along the way,” Summers told Preakness publicity. “I've almost quit about three or four times, been forced into retirement a few times. But we're still here, we're battling, and we got the victory done on a horse we bought for $40,000, which I love the most.”

Notwithstanding his auction price, Napoleon Solo’s pedigree and background offered clues to his potential. Bred by John Gunther (breeder of Triple Crown winner Justify) and daughter Tanya Gunther’s Eurowest Bloodstock in Kentucky, he is out of the stakes-winning Atomic Blonde. She shares the same sire as Justify, the late Scat Daddy. From a turf-oriented family, Atomic Blonde raced exclusively on the grass herself.

Interestingly, Napoleon Solo is bred on the same cross as 2025 Derby trail alumnus Burnham Square, a rising star in the turf division this year. Likewise by Liam’s Map and out of a Scat Daddy mare, Burnham Square just dominated Saturday night’s Louisville (G3) at Churchill Downs.

Napoleon Solo’s foreseeable future remains on dirt. His next major objective is the July 18 Haskell (G1) at Monmouth.