Golden Tempo Sidelined as 14 Horses Target Wide-Open Preakness at Laurel Park

Napoleon Solo captured the 151st running of the Preakness Stakes on May 16, 2026, at Laurel Park, securing a victory in the middle jewel of horse racing’s Triple Crown. The 3-year-old colt, who started the race at 7-1 odds, won the $2 million event by 1 1/4 lengths.

The race featured a wide-open field of 14 horses, as Kentucky Derby winner Golden Tempo was held out of the competition. Due to the ongoing rebuilding of Pimlico in Baltimore, the event was relocated to Laurel Park. The atmosphere was notably subdued compared to previous years, with attendance capped at 4,800 people.

Race Dynamics and Performance

Taj Mahal entered the race as the top choice at 9-2, representing the longest odds for a Preakness favorite since the race shifted to its current distance of 1 3/16 miles in 1925. Taj Mahal took an early lead, covering the first quarter-mile in 22.66 seconds, but was unable to maintain the pace. Napoleon Solo surged past Taj Mahal near the top of the stretch to take control of the race.

Iron Honor, who had been the morning line favorite at 9-2 but entered the gate as an 8-1 shot, mounted a late threat but finished 1 1/4 lengths behind the winner. Chip Honcho, starting at 11-1, finished in third place. The victory paid $17.80 on a $2 bet.

The win marked a significant rebound for Napoleon Solo. The colt had struggled in his first two starts of the year, finishing fifth in both the Fountain of Youth and the Wood Memorial. This performance reaffirmed the form he displayed as a two-year-old, specifically during the Champagne Stakes (G1) in October of the previous year, which he won by 6 1/2 lengths.

Owner and Trainer Milestones

The victory provided a career milestone for owner Al Gold, 70, who has followed Thoroughbred racing since his teenage years in New Jersey. Gold had waited 55 years to win a Triple Crown race. He previously experienced success in 2022 when his horse Cyberknife won the Haskell Stakes (G1).

Following the race, Gold described the emotional impact of the victory.

“I’m still a little numb to be truthful,” Gold said. “I didn’t know what they were asking me during the trophy presentation when I was answering questions. I’m calmer now, but this was a very big moment and I am very happy. I just can’t put it into words.”

Al Gold

Gold also noted that the experience was made more meaningful by the presence of longtime friends, including Louis Filoso, who is currently battling a serious medical issue. Gold stated, "To have a friend like Lou here made it special."

The race also marked the first Triple Crown victory for trainer Chad Summers and jockey Paco Lopez. Summers, who has maintained a close relationship with Gold, expressed gratitude for the owner’s faith in his training.

Future Outlook

With the Preakness victory secured, the connections for Napoleon Solo have already looked toward their next objective. Gold indicated that while they had considered the Amsterdam, a grade 2 sprint stakes, the horse will now move forward to compete in the Haskell.