After stylish win, Dry Powder might try Ruffian Stakes
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HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Trainer Chad Summers said he couldn’t be prouder of his Grade 1-placed filly Dry Powder after she got back on the winning track with a very popular and impressive 5 3/4-length allowance and optional-claiming victory going a mile here Thursday. Dry Powder rallied from near the rear of the field in the run down the backstretch to score her third career victory with jockey Dylan Davis deputizing for the injured Irad Ortiz Jr.
“It looked like there was a lot of speed in the field and we didn’t want her dueling on the lead,” Summers explained. “We also didn’t want her near the inside. I thought she took the worst of it in her last start racing down near the rail.”
Summers was referring to Dry Powder’s third-place finish in the Barbara Fritchie at Laurel Park in her 2026 debut.
“I thought Dylan did a great job. He rode her with a lot of confidence even after she stumbled a little out of the gate,” Summers added.
Summers said he will “see what’s out there” regarding Dry Powder’s next start while mentioning the Grade 2 Ruffian at Aqueduct on May 9 as the most logical option.
“I think a mile is the right distance for her, so the Ruffian is probably the race we’ll look at closest,” Summers said.
Earlier Thursday, Summers sent out his Grade 1 winner and Kentucky Derby hopeful Napoleon Solo to work five furlongs in 1:00.40 at the Palm Meadows training center. The work was the first for Napoleon Solo since his disappointing fifth-place finish in the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth on Feb. 28.
“It was a good work back for the first in the series and we’re not going to baby him moving forward,” said Summers, who said he is also weighing his options for Napoleon’s next start, which will come in one of the upcoming Derby preps. Summers has not ruled out the $1 million Florida Derby here on March 28 as a possibility.
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