LAUREL, Md. — Napoleon Solo delivered a redemptive performance on Saturday, May 16, 2026, capturing the 151st running of the Preakness Stakes at Laurel Park and securing the first Triple Crown race victory for both trainer Chad Summers and jockey Paco Lopez.
The victory marked a significant turnaround for the colt, who had struggled through consecutive fifth-place finishes in the Fountain of Youth and Wood Memorial earlier this year. Napoleon Solo, sent off at 7-1 odds, surged past early leader Taj Mahal near the top of the stretch and held off a late challenge from Iron Honor to win by 1 1/4 lengths. Chip Honcho finished third at 11-1 odds.
The race unfolded in dramatically different circumstances than previous editions of the storied event. With Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore undergoing reconstruction, the Preakness was contested at Laurel Park this year before a subdued crowd capped at 4,800 attendees. The intimate atmosphere stood in stark contrast to the traditionally raucous celebration featuring throngs of fans and live music on the infield.
The absence of Kentucky Derby winner Golden Tempo, who was held out of the race, left the middle jewel of the Triple Crown wide open. A maximum field of 14 horses entered the starting gate, matching the largest Preakness field since 2011. Taj Mahal entered as the betting favorite at 9-2, representing the longest odds for a Preakness favorite since the race moved to its current distance of 1 3/16 miles in 1925. Iron Honor, the morning line favorite at 9-2, drifted to 8-1 by post time.
Trainer Brittany Russell's unbeaten colt Taj Mahal broke sharply and seized the early lead, covering the opening quarter-mile in 22.66 seconds. However, the pace proved unsustainable, and Napoleon Solo swept past near the top of the stretch under Paco Lopez. Iron Honor mounted a late rally but could not close the gap, finishing second.
The victory paid $17.80 on a $2 wager and validated the early promise Napoleon Solo displayed last year. The colt dominated his first two career starts, culminating in a commanding 6 1/2-length triumph in the Champagne Stakes in October. His recent struggles had raised questions about whether he could recapture that form.
"All year long, fifth place, fifth place. Everyone said he wasn't as good as he was in the Champagne," Summers said. "This was a win here. People will say it wasn't against the best of the best. We'll find out the rest of the year."
The race also served as a rematch between Napoleon Solo and Iron Honor, who had previously met in the Wood Memorial. In that contest, Napoleon Solo finished fifth while Iron Honor placed two spots farther back. Saturday's result confirmed Napoleon Solo's superiority in their renewed rivalry.
Three horses contested both the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness this year. Ocelli, sent off at 7-1, finished fourth. Incredibolt, the second betting choice at 5-1, placed fifth. Robusta, a 25-1 longshot, finished ninth.
Russell sought to become the first female trainer to win the Preakness, following the milestone achievement by a female trainer at the Derby two weeks earlier. However, Taj Mahal could not sustain his early advantage and faded after leading much of the way.
The Preakness Stakes will return to its traditional home at Pimlico once reconstruction is complete. For now, Laurel Park has provided a temporary venue for one of horse racing's most prestigious events, albeit under markedly different conditions than fans have come to expect from this celebrated race.
