Napoleon Solo fires bullet five-furlong work; connections leaning toward Classic
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ELMONT, N.Y. − There are still discussions to be had between trainer Chad Summers and the principal owners of Preakness winner Napoleon Solo about whether to run in the Breeders’ Cup Classic or Dirt Mile. On Thursday, Napoleon Solo offered his opinion with a sensational five-furlong workout at Belmont Park.
With jockey John Velazquez up and rating behind another horse, Napoleon Solo worked five furlongs in 58 seconds and then proceeded to gallop out six furlongs in 1:10.26 and seven furlongs in 1:22.72. He started the move three lengths behind the maiden Spherical and finished about that same margin in front at the wire.
“I’ll talk to the guys, but I would think off of this, it would be a surprise if we didn’t go to the Classic,” said Summers, who trains Napoleon Solo for Espoir USA. “We’ll pre-enter in both because we can.”
Summers wanted Velazquez to work Napoleon Solo next week, but with Velazquez riding at Keeneland for most of that Kentucky track's meet, Summers decided to put him on the horse Thursday. Velazquez told Summers the horse was a bit aggressive warming up but when Spherical separated from him, he relaxed. Still, Napoleon Solo went his opening eighth in 11.51 seconds and three furlongs in 35.26 seconds. He came home in 22.74 seconds with Velazquez barely moving on him.
“He’s always been a good work horse and when he works good, he runs good,” Summers said. “We wish the Breeders’ Cup was next week not in 30 days, but we’re happy with how he worked and so far, he looks like he’s come back really good.”
Velazquez rode Napoleon Solo for the first time in the Travers, working him once before that race. Thursday was the first time he’d been on him since the Travers.
“He said he worked even better than he worked in Saratoga, he felt even better than when he rode him in the Travers,” Summers said. “He liked having a target in front of him, giving something to look at. He said he’s aggressive when he’s next to the other horse when they’re warming up. Once they separate, he relaxes and once he comes to the other horse he knows his job, he just goes on.”
Napoleon Solo won the Preakness from a stalking position. He set the pace in the Haskell and Travers, getting beat a half-length by Baby Vino in the Haskell and Leading Change in the Travers.
“There's going to be speed in the [Classic], we just want to make sure he can have a target and that will be the plan,” Summers said.
Summers said Napoleon Solo would have two more breezes at Belmont and then one work at Keeneland.
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