Napoleon Solo claimed the Preakness Stakes Saturday at Laurel Park in Laurel, Md., to give jockey Paco Lopez, trainer Chad Summers and owner Al Gold their first Triple Crown victories.
The colt stalked hometown hero Taj Mahal from the start of the 1-3/16-mile race until they hit the second turn, when Napoleon Solo breezed past the betting favorite. As they turned toward the wire, Napoleon Solo had more than enough to stave off a challenge from Iron Honor to win by 1 1/4 lengths in 1:58.69.
It’s the second Grade 1 stakes win for the colt sired by Liam’s Map. He also won the Champagne Stakes last October at Aqueduct in Queens. However, back-to-back fifth-place finishes in the Fountain of Youth and Wood Memorial Stakes led his connections to move him off the Kentucky Derby and point him toward the second jewel of racing’s Triple Crown.
Napoleon Solo, who went off at 7-1, paid $17.80 on a $2 win ticket, $9.80 to place and $7.40 to show. Iron Honor, who was the 9-2 morning-line favorite but went off as the 8-1 fifth choice, paid $9.20 and $6.60. Chip Honcho came in third, 4 1/2 lengths back of the winner and paid $8.20.
None of the top three ran two weeks ago in the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.
Taj Mahal, trained by Brittany Russell who was seeking to become the first female to prep a Preakness winner, finished 10th. Ocelli, who finished third in Louisville on May 2, came in fourth, followed by Incredibolt.
–Field Level Media
