Newest Three-Year-Old Rivalry to Continue in Haskell
The rivalry that developed in Saturday’s Preakness Stakes may be only the beginning.
Fresh off his breakthrough score in the 151st running of the Preakness Stakes at Laurel Park, Napoleon Solo appears headed toward a summer campaign that could once again put him on a collision course with Iron Honor, the colt he turned back in deep stretch to secure the biggest victory of his career. Early indications from connections on both sides point toward the Haskell Stakes at Monmouth Park as the likely rematch spot.
Napoleon Solo delivered a much-needed rebound performance in the Preakness, stalking the early tempo before taking command at the top of the lane and holding safe by 1 1/4 lengths over Iron Honor. The victory gave trainer Chad Summers his first classic triumph and stamped the colt as a legitimate player among this year’s 3-year-old division.
The son of Napoleon had entered the Preakness off a pair of disappointing fifth-place finishes earlier this spring, but Summers believed the race shape and spacing finally gave the colt a favorable setup. With Kentucky Derby winner Golden Tempo skipping the race, the Preakness developed into a wide-open affair, and Napoleon Solo took full advantage.
Iron Honor, meanwhile, lost little in defeat.
Trainer Chad Brown indicated after the race that the son of Nyquist is likely to train straight up to the Haskell rather than run again beforehand. Brown’s colt sat just off the pace throughout the Preakness and mounted a sustained rally in the stretch, but could never quite reel in the winner.
The Haskell has long served as a midsummer proving ground for elite sophomores, and this year’s edition is shaping up as one of the more intriguing renewals in recent memory. Not only could it feature a rematch between the top two finishers from the Preakness, but there remains the possibility that Kentucky Derby hero Golden Tempo could eventually re-enter the picture later in the season. Summers made no secret after the Preakness that he would welcome another crack at the division leader.
Saturday’s Preakness itself unfolded differently than many expected. Taj Mahal, unbeaten entering the race and heavily backed on the tote board, flashed speed early but weakened badly in the final stages and faded to 10th. Napoleon Solo capitalized, while Iron Honor emerged as the most serious threat in the final furlong. Chip Honcho completed the trifecta.
What made the effort particularly encouraging for both barns was the professionalism shown by the top pair. Napoleon Solo handled the pressure of a contested stretch drive with maturity, while Iron Honor continued to show the consistency that made him the morning-line favorite entering the race.
With the Triple Crown season now moving into its summer phase, the focus shifts from classic aspirations to divisional supremacy. And if the Preakness was any indication, Napoleon Solo and Iron Honor may have only just started writing their story.
