Napoleon Solo Wins the 2026 Preakness Stakes in a Come-from-Behind Upset
Napoleon Solo came charging down the stretch at Laurel Park on Saturday to win the 151st Preakness Stakes, handing trainer Chad Summers his first Triple Crown victory and jockey Paco Lopez his first Preakness win in a race full of surprises — including a new venue and a conspicuously absent Kentucky Derby champion.
The Race
Napoleon Solo entered the race at 10-1 odds, not among the top favorites in a wide-open field of 14. Taj Mahal set the early pace, leading the field through the first half-mile in 46.66 seconds, and remained in front as the horses made their turn for home. But as the field hit the stretch, Napoleon Solo — guided by Lopez — found his gear and powered past Taj Mahal to take the lead.
Iron Honor mounted a late challenge but couldn't close the gap. Napoleon Solo crossed the wire first, with Iron Honor finishing second and Chip Honcho third. Taj Mahal, who had looked poised to win for much of the race, faded in the final furlongs.
For Lopez, the win was a long time coming. He had previously ridden in the Preakness in 2020, finishing fifth aboard Max Player. Saturday marked his first trip to the winner's circle at the race. For Summers, it was his first major Triple Crown win since 2017.
A Different Kind of Preakness
This year's race was historic in more ways than one. For the first time in decades, the Preakness was not held at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. The iconic track is currently undergoing major renovations, pushing the event to Laurel Park, another Maryland venue located about 20 miles away.
Laurel Park hosted the race without incident, but the change in venue gave this year's edition of the Preakness a unique character. The historic infield atmosphere and familiar Baltimore backdrop were absent, replaced by the functional but less storied surroundings of Laurel. For many longtime fans, the move was a notable — if temporary — departure from tradition.
No Triple Crown Bid This Year
Perhaps the biggest storyline heading into the race was who wasn't there. Golden Tempo, the winner of the 2026 Kentucky Derby under trainer Cherie DeVaux, bypassed the Preakness entirely, making a Triple Crown bid impossible before the gates even opened.
It was the third time in five years that the Kentucky Derby winner skipped the second leg of the Triple Crown, a trend that has frustrated fans and drawn criticism from horse racing observers who worry about the diminishing drama of the sport's biggest series. Without the Derby winner in the field, Saturday's race lacked the narrative tension of a potential Triple Crown run, though Napoleon Solo's upset filled the void with its own compelling story.
The Payout
With a $1.2 million payday going to the winning connections, the financial stakes were substantial. Second place earned $400,000, third place took home $220,000, fourth received $120,000, and fifth earned $60,000. For Summers and his team, the victory represented not only a major prize but a significant career milestone, and for Lopez a career-defining moment on one of racing's biggest stages.
What's Next
The Triple Crown series concludes with the Belmont Stakes, traditionally held about three weeks after the Preakness. With Golden Tempo already on the sidelines and Napoleon Solo now holding one of the three legs, the Belmont will draw interest as both a standalone championship race and as a marquee event closing out the spring racing calendar. Whether Napoleon Solo makes the trip to Belmont — and whether Golden Tempo rejoins the conversation there — will be among the biggest questions in the sport over the coming weeks.
For now, though, Saturday belonged to a 10-1 longshot who found the right moment at the right time, and to the connections who believed a come-from-behind horse could handle the pressure of one of racing's most storied afternoons.
Curious for more stories that keep you informed and entertained? From the latest headlines to everyday insights, YourLifeBuzz has more to explore. Dive into what's next.