Kentucky Derby works: Napoleon Solo leads 5 hopefuls
Napoleon Solo, who returned to the tab last week for the first time since winning the Grade 1 Champagne in October, had another workout Wednesday morning at Palm Meadows.
The Liam's Map colt breezed three furlongs in 36.45 seconds, the same time and distance as last week.
See HRN's ranking of Kentucky Derby 2026 contenders.
Trained by Chad Summers and owned by Gold Square, Napoleon Solo won his August debut at Saratoga by 5 1/4 lengths before returning to win the Champagne by 6 1/2.
Summers told Horse Racing Nation last week that he had not formed a plan for the colt.
Napoleon Solo was one of five horses with Derby odds in Las Vegas and other HRN top contenders on the Wednesday tab.
Acknowledgemeplz (Bucchero) worked two furlongs in 24.0 seconds at Santa Anita on Wednesday morning. It was the fastest of five works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he placed third in the San Vicente (G2) going seven furlongs on the main track at Santa Anita on Jan. 10 for trainer Doug O'Neill.
Napoleon Solo (Liam's Map), a Grade 1 winner (2025 Champagne), worked three furlongs in 36.4 seconds at Palm Meadows on Wednesday morning. It was the fastest of 10 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going three furlongs at Palm Meadows. In his last start he won the Champagne (G1) going one mile on the main track at Belmont at the Big A on Oct. 4 for trainer Chad Summers.
Rio Grande (Justify) worked five furlongs in 1:00.2 at Santa Anita on Wednesday morning. It was the second fastest of nine works at the distance. His previous work was six days ago going five furlongs at Santa Anita. In his last start he placed eighth in a maiden race going one mile on the turf at Santa Anita on Dec. 29 for trainer Bob Baffert.
Silent Tactic (Tacitus) worked five furlongs in 1:01.6 at Oaklawn on Wednesday morning. It was the sixth fastest of 39 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he placed second in the Smarty Jones going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Oaklawn on Jan. 3 for trainer Mark Casse.
Stradale (Yaupon) worked four furlongs in 50.8 seconds at Fair Grounds on Wednesday morning. It was the 21st fastest of 33 works at the distance. His previous work was six days ago going four furlongs at Fair Grounds. In his last start he placed third in the Ed Brown going 6 1/2 furlongs on the main track at Churchill Downs on Nov. 29 for trainer Steve Asmussen.