Napoleon Solo wins 151st Preakness

Napoleon Solo won the 151st Preakness Stakes at Laurel Park on Saturday, giving trainer Chad Summers and jockey Paco Lopez their first victories in a Triple Crown race. The gray colt tracked early leader Taj Mahal through quick opening fractions before taking over around the far turn and holding off Iron Honor in the stretch. Chip Honcho finished third in the Grade 1 race, which carried a $2 million purse and was run at Laurel Park while Pimlico Race Course undergoes a major renovation. NBC Sports and other race reports listed Napoleon Solo at 7-1 odds, and the horse paid $17.80 to win. The May 16 running was the first Preakness held at Laurel Park because Pimlico is being rebuilt. The field of 14 was the largest in 15 years, according to CBS News and race coverage from NBC-owned outlets. Kentucky Derby winner Golden Tempo did not run, which meant there would be no Triple Crown winner in 2026. (nbcsports.com) ### How did Napoleon Solo win it? Taj Mahal set the pace early from the gate, and Napoleon Solo stayed close behind through fractions of 22.66 and 44.66 seconds, according to CBS Sports’ race account. Around the far turn, Napoleon Solo moved past the favorite and opened enough daylight to withstand Iron Honor’s late run. (cbsnews.com) Paco Lopez said positioning made the difference. NBC Sports reported that Lopez said he had Napoleon Solo “in a perfect spot” behind the speed before asking him to go entering the turn. That trip let the winner avoid a wide move and attack before the stretch drive tightened. (cbssports.com) ### What happened to Taj Mahal, the favorite? Taj Mahal closed as the post-time favorite at 9-2 and drew strong local support, with several reports describing him as the hometown hope. The colt showed that speed immediately, taking the lead and controlling the race early. The final stages went the other way. (nbcsports.com) Taj Mahal weakened badly after setting the pace and finished 10th, more than 13 lengths behind Napoleon Solo, according to CBS Sports. ### Who rounded out the top finishers and payouts? Iron Honor finished second and Chip Honcho was third behind Napoleon Solo, according to NBC Sports’ results tracker and multiple race recaps. (cbssports.com) The winning time was 1:58.69 on a fast track. NBC Sports said that made it the slowest Preakness in 75 years. The $2 million purse was divided after the race, with NBC Sports publishing the prize-money breakdown. Napoleon Solo’s win payoff was $17.80, a figure also reported by CBS Sports and NBC Sports. ### Why was the race at Laurel Park instead of Pimlico? (nbcsports.com) Laurel Park hosted the Preakness because Pimlico Race Course is undergoing a $400 million overhaul, NBC Sports reported. The temporary move changed the setting of one of racing’s three classics, but organizers have said the race is expected to return to Pimlico next year. (nbcsports.com) Laurel Park is in Laurel, Maryland, between Baltimore and Washington, and the switch gave the 2026 edition a different backdrop from the race’s usual home. Reports from NBC and CBS described the change as a one-year relocation tied to construction. ### What comes next after the Preakness? (nbcsports.com) Golden Tempo’s decision to skip the Preakness ended any chance of a Triple Crown sweep before Saturday’s race, leaving the Belmont Stakes as the next major target for the division. Race coverage from NBC-owned outlets and other reports pointed to Belmont entries and field announcements as the next milestone for the top 3-year-olds. (nbcbayarea.com) The next round of official updates is expected to come from Belmont Stakes entry announcements and racing offices in the days ahead, with Napoleon Solo, Iron Honor and other Preakness runners now part of that discussion. (nbcbayarea.com)