Napoleon Solo in Good Form Post Preakness, Will Target Haskell

In the morning after his GI Preakness Stakes triumph, Napoleon Solo (Liam's Map) was in good form, according to trainer Chad Summers, and will target the GI Haskell Stakes at Monmouth Park as his next start.

“He's good today,” Summers told the TDN. “He's been very playful. I came back last night at about midnight just to have a quiet moment with him after all the hoopla. He ate all his food, so I gave him another scoop and he ate all that right away.”

“He's full of spunk and energy this morning. We're very happy with him.”

While many in the Thoroughbred sphere have been clamoring at a potential showdown between the Kentucky Derby and Preakness winners at the GI Belmont Stakes at Saratoga, Summers hasn't turned down the idea, but also hasn't committed to an entry.

“We'll nominate to everything. Obviously, with a horse of that caliber, you take a look at the options. And he doesn't necessarily need a race in between. He gets enough out of himself in the morning.”

However, if push comes to shove, the conditioner is leaning toward the GI Haskell Stakes. The New Jersey marquee carries a 'Win and You're In' berth to the GI Breeders' Cup Classic–this year held at Keeneland.

“Monmouth Park should fit him well,” Summers said. “Who is going looks like a who's who already. We heard The Puma is heading in that direction and Crude Velocity is looking at that race as well. Todd [Pletcher] and Brad [Cox] might have something in there too, along with the locals that are around.”

“The Haskell is not an easy race to win, especially since it's a 'Win and You're In' for the Breeders' Cup Classic, which is important to us.”

Summers added that, while some pressure was certainly off with a Spring Classic under his charge's belt, owner Al Gold's desire to win the Haskell might have given that looming feeling a new direction to go.

“We might feel more pressure in the Haskell than we had going into the Preakness just knowing what it means to [Owner] Al [Gold], but we feel like we will go over there with a horse that has finally had a chance to show everybody where he is at. He finally had a chance to run his race this year. We think he can improve from here. I think as he gets older and starts maturing, I think he will get better and better.”