The 151st Preakness Stakes belongs to Napoleon Solo.
Napoleon Solo’s name started growing as a candidate to win the race as the post time inched closer. The race began with local favorite Taj Mahal leading the way for most of the action, but the final turn outside saw Napoleon Solo take control all the way to the finish line.
Iron Honor came closest to challenging Napoleon Solo in the final stretch, but eventually settled for second. Chip Honcho finished third, while Taj Mahal fell all the way to a stunning 10th despite its promising start.
Napoleon Solo entered with 10-1 odds before shifting to 7-1. A win wasn’t seen as likely at first due to Napoleon Solo finishing in fifth in both of his starts this year, including the Wood Memorial.
Chad Summers trained Napoleon Solo and earned a win in his first career start at the Preakness. Paco Lopez, a 40-year-old jockey from Mexico, also earned his biggest victory yet.
The 151st running of the Preakness took place at Laurel Park in Maryland for the first time due to construction at the usual home of the race, Pimlico Race Course. The race will return to Pimlico next year.
Kentucky Derby winner Golden Tempo did not compete in the race, ending a Triple Crown bid. It marked the third time in five years that the Derby winner skipped the second race of the Triple Crown.
Even Renegade, the Derby runner-up, did not participate. It’s only the second time in 40 years where the top two Derby finishers passed on the Preakness.
Golden Tempo’s participation in the Belmont Stakes, the third and final Triple Crown race, is not yet officially confirmed.
The 158th running of the Belmont Stakes at Saratoga Springs, N.Y., will take place on Saturday, June 6. It’s the third straight year the race will take place at the Saratoga Race Course due to ongoing construction at Belmont Park, the usual home of the run. Belmont Park is due to reopen sometime in the fall.
Saratoga’s main track is 1 1/4 miles (10 furlongs), slightly shorter than Belmont Park’s 1 1/2 miles (12 furlongs), so it is currently tied with the Derby as the longest of the Triple Crown races.
It’s the official cocktail of the Triple Crown’s “middle jewel.”
