A horse almost didn’t race in the Preakness. Thanks to a jockey’s suggestion, it won.
Napoleon Solo, a horse initially doubted for the Preakness Stakes, secured a surprising victory thanks to a jockey's encouragement. Despite finishing fifth in its previous two races, the horse's potential was recognized by jockey Paco Lopez, leading to its entry in the race. The win marked a significant achievement for trainer Chad Summers, who had faced challenges throughout the horse's career.
- ▪Napoleon Solo was not favored to win the 151st Preakness Stakes but triumphed against expectations.
- ▪Jockey Paco Lopez suggested that the horse could perform better than its recent finishes indicated.
- ▪The horse earned $1.2 million from a $2 million purse, claiming the second of the Triple Crown races.
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Horse racingA horse almost didn’t race in the Preakness. Thanks to a jockey’s suggestion, it won.Napoleon Solo was not among the favorites to win the 151st Preakness Stakes, but belief in the horse’s potential paid off with a big win SaturdayListen to this article with a free account00:0000:00Horse trainer Chad Summers, right, celebrating Napoleon Solo's win with jockey Paco Lopez and owner Al Gold following the 151st Preakness Stakes at Laurel Park on Saturday.Patrick Smith / Getty ImagesShareAdd NBC News to GoogleMay 16, 2026, 10:01 PM EDTBy Andrew GreifBefore winning the 151st Preakness Stakes, Napoleon Solo almost wasn’t entered in the race known as the middle jewel of horse racing’s Triple Crown.Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and…
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