Napoleon Solo secured victory in the Preakness Stakes on Saturday at Laurel Park, holding off Iron Honor by 1 1/4 lengths. The race, typically known for large crowds and live music, was held in a more subdued atmosphere this year with attendance capped at 4,800 due to venue changes.
Key Takeaways
Napoleon Solo won the Preakness Stakes on Saturday at Laurel Park, holding off Iron Honor by 1 1/4 lengths. The race featured a subdued atmosphere with attendance capped at 4,800 due to venue changes.
- Napoleon Solo secured victory in the Preakness Stakes
- Race held at Laurel Park with limited attendance of 4,800
- Taj Mahal, the top choice, finished 10th after leading early
- Kentucky Derby winner Golden Tempo skipped the race
Napoleon Solo entered the race with morning odds of 7-1 after rebounding from a pair of fifth-place finishes earlier in the season. Trainer Chad Summers and jockey Paco Lopez celebrated their first victory in a Triple Crown race. Iron Honor, who had been the morning line favorite at 9-2 but was an 8-1 shot by race time, came up short despite posing a late threat.
The Preakness Stakes featured its largest field since 2011 with 14 horses competing for the $2 million purse. Taj Mahal, who had been the top choice at 9-2 odds and was undefeated in his previous races at Laurel Park, fell back to 10th place after leading much of the way. Trainer Brittany Russell aimed to become the first female trainer to win the Preakness but fell short.
The absence of Triple Crown contenders shifted focus onto the 14-horse field at Laurel Park, which included notable performers such as Ocelli and Incredibolt. Napoleon Solo led home a trio of 'new shooters' — horses who did not contest the Kentucky Derby but joined the series for the second leg in Maryland. Only three Derby starters lined up for the Preakness, with none being prominent in the running.
The colt won his first two starts last year by impressive margins, prevailing in the Champagne Stakes by 6 1/2 lengths in October. He couldn't maintain that form, however, finishing fifth in both the Fountain of Youth and Wood Memorial this year. Napoleon Solo ran 1 3/16 miles on a fast track in 1:58.69.
The Preakness Stakes was contested at Laurel Park due to Pimlico's ongoing renovations, leading to a more subdued atmosphere with limited attendance and no live music on the infield. Chip Honcho finished third, while Ocelli and Incredibolt came from behind to finish fourth and fifth, respectively.
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