Napoleon Solo: Post 6; Morning Line: 5-2
Trainer: Chad Summers; Jockey: Paco Lopez
Wednesday, July 15, 2026
Napoleon Solo – 2026 Haskell Stakes Profile
Horse: Napoleon Solo
Pedigree: Liam's Map-Atomic Blonde, by Scat Daddy
Owner: ESPOIR USA
Trainer: Chad Summers
Jockey: Paco Lopez
Post Position: 6
Morning Line Odds: 5-1
Running Style: Speed/stalk
Top Equibase Speed Figure: 99
Career Record: 5-3-0-0
Career Earnings: $1,560,520
Race: $1 million Haskell Stakes, Monmouth Park (59th running)
Distance: 1 1/8 miles (dirt)
Last race: 1st Preakness Stakes (G1), Laurel (May 16)
The Derby buzz began last fall after Napoleon Solo wired the Champagne Stakes (G1) by 6 1/2 lengths. It disappeared in April after fifth-place duds in the Fountain of Youth (G2) and Wood Memorial (G2). A bruised heel and a lingering foot injury were partly responsible, and the speedy gray redeemed himself in the Preakness Stakes (G1).
After failing twice at two turns, there were serious doubts about whether he could go 1 3/16 miles at Laurel Park. No problem. Napoleon Solo stalked in second before taking a 1 1/2-length lead at the furlong pole and holding off Iron Honor by 1 1/4 lengths.
Minutes later, owner Al Gold zinged the skeptics: “Did anybody think this horse could go this far?”
His Gold Square Racing sold the colt to ESPOIR USA, and he'll go for another Grade 1 win on Saturday in the Haskell. A victory would earn a free pass to the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1).
He's been an all-or-nothing horse in his five starts. After his effortless, 46.89-second workout July 9 over Belmont Park's training track, he's looking good for the Haskell.
“[The exercise rider] didn't move a muscle on him,” trainer Chad Summers said. “He probably could have gone a second and a half faster if we wanted to. He's just a different kind of horse.”
A 6-furlong breeze in a blazing 1:10 on May 2 at Belmont set up his 7-1 score in Maryland.
“What he showed me today is very similar to what we saw going into the Preakness,” Summers said.
Napoleon Solo has the right running style for Monmouth Park, known for favoring horses who can set the pace or run just behind it.
He's one of the most logical winners of the Haskell, so play him to win and box him in exactas with Further Ado.
-- By Ed McNamara
Ed McNamara is an award-winning racing writer who has covered the sport since 1981 for The Bergen (N.J.) Record, Newsday, ESPN, Thorocap, and USRacing. He is the author of Cajun Racing: From the Bush Tracks to the Triple Crown and Racing Around the World, and a contributor to The Most Glorious Crown and The Racetracks of America. He has also written for racing publications in France and Italy.
