Napoleon Solo: Post 3; Morning Line: 8-1
Trainer: Chad Summers; Jockey: John Velazquez
Tuesday, August 25, 2026
Named after the fictional spy from the 1960s TV series The Man from U.N.C.L.E., Napoleon Solo was initially purchased for $40,000 at the 2024 Keeneland September Yearling Sale by trainer Chad Summers on behalf of Al Gold’s Gold Square LLC. He was later sold after his Preakness Stakes (G1) win to Espoir USA, Inc., while remaining in Summers’ care.
He will eventually stand stud at Lane’s End upon the conclusion of his racing career. Despite winning last year’s Champagne Stakes (G1) at Aqueduct, his connections opted to skip the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) to focus on his 3-year-old campaign.
His 2026 season began with significant setbacks -- a fifth-place finish, beaten more than 11 lengths, in the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) at Gulfstream Park on Feb. 28, and another fifth in the Wood Memorial Stakes (G2) at Aqueduct. After skipping the Kentucky Derby (G1), he rebounded to win the Preakness by 1 ¼ lengths under Paco Lopez
Though he’s never run over Saratoga’s main track, he posted a series of strong workouts there last summer before his Champagne win and has another set of decent moves, including a bullet half-mile in :47.67 last week.
“He worked great up here last year, and he’s had three really good workouts here since the Haskell,” Summers said. “Now it’s just bubble wrap time.”
Napoleon Solo owns a high-cruising-speed and is a tactical front-runner/presser whose natural early speed is his weapon. In all of his races he has either set the pace or pressed it, staying within about two lengths of the front after the opening quarter-mile.
Summers has repeatedly described his “natural speed” and “high cruising speed” as the colt’s biggest asset – he's able to handle fast early fractions that tire others while still finishing effectively when the race unfolds to his liking. He’s the likely pacesetter Saturday.
Napoleon Solo is the definition of unpredictable talent. When he’s right, he can blow the doors off just about any rival. The problem is we never know who is going to show up. He’s likely to be more fit than in his last which is good considering the added furlong, and he’ll certainly offer exceptional value if you’re a believer and think he can defeat top 3-year-old rivals Golden Tempo and Renegade.
He brings proven ability, a good post, and an elite jockey. He is a playable win candidate and an excellent key horse for exotic tickets.
-- US Racing Team
The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.
