Napoleon Solo Takes the Preakness Stakes by a Length
Napoleon Solo Clinches Preakness Stakes at Laurel Park
LAUREL PARK, Md. — Napoleon Solo surged ahead to secure victory in the Preakness Stakes on Saturday, overcoming a pair of fifth-place finishes earlier this season. This win marks his first triumph of the year.
With Kentucky Derby winner Golden Tempo absent from the race, a competitive field of 14 horses took to the track for the middle jewel of the Triple Crown. This year’s Preakness was held at Laurel Park, as ongoing renovations at Pimlico in Baltimore necessitated a change in venue.
The top choice, Taj Mahal, entered the race with odds at 9-2—marking the longest odds for a Preakness favorite since the event’s distance changed to 1 3/16 miles in 1925. Initially favored at 9-2, Iron Honor saw his odds shift to 8-1 by post time.
Taj Mahal sprinted to an early lead, completing the first quarter-mile in 22.66 seconds. However, trainer Brittany Russell’s unbeaten contender could not maintain his position and was overtaken by Napoleon Solo (7-1) nearing the top of the stretch. Iron Honor mounted a late challenge but fell short, finishing 1 1/4 lengths behind the leader. Chip Honcho placed third.
Historically a lively event filled with fans and live music, this year’s Preakness unfolded in a more subdued atmosphere, with attendance limited to 4,800 spectators.
