Joel Rosario Makes Belmont Shine: Dual GI Victories with Iron Orchard and Napoleon Solo

The Dominican rider enjoyed another dream day at the “Big A,” scoring authoritative wins in the GI Frizette and GI Champagne Stakes

Iron Orchard, once clear, had more left and stretched her unbeaten streak in the Frizette / ADAM COGLIANESE / NYRA

SOUTH OZONE PARK, New York (Special for Turf Diario).- Joel Rosario delivered a Saturday to remember at Belmont Park, achieving a feat reserved for few: winning back-to-back Grade 1 races at the Big A in just a few hours. First, the Dominican jockey guided Iron Orchard to victory in the Frizette Stakes (G1), then piloted Napoleon Solo to success in the Champagne Stakes (G1), both contested at a mile on the main track.

It was a double that highlighted not only Rosario’s talent but also the excellent work of two trainers in peak form: Danny Gargan, responsible for the undefeated Iron Orchard, and Chad Summers, who prepared the promising Napoleon Solo to perfection.

The afternoon began with a display of character from Iron Orchard, a daughter of Authentic bred in New York. Accustomed to leading from gate to wire in her first two starts, she showed a new dimension this time, rallying from off the pace, swinging wide in the stretch, and holding off Rileytole (Mitole) by a nose.

With Rosario in full control, the CSLR Racing Partners and R.A. Hill Stable runner covered the 1600 meters in 1:35.97, extending her record to three wins in as many starts, all in increasing company. The effort earned her 10 points toward the Kentucky Oaks 2026 and a $30,000 credit toward the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) at Del Mar.

“I thought she’d go forward, but she relaxed beautifully. She was calm, which worried me a bit at first, but she finished with authority. Danny and his team did an incredible job with her,” Rosario said after the race.

Gargan admitted the filly surprised him: “We’ve been training her harder lately, but when she relaxed so much, I thought we might have overdone it. Luckily, it was the opposite—she showed maturity and another dimension. She’s a special filly with a bright future. I feel blessed.”

Bred by Pine Ridge Stable and purchased for $500,000 at OBS, Iron Orchard is out of Onebrethatatime (Brethren)and has earned $352,000. Gargan left the door open regarding a Del Mar campaign: “We’ll discuss it with the owners. She has only three races, so we’ll decide carefully. Right now, the important thing is to enjoy this moment.”

Just one race later, Rosario returned to the spotlight with Napoleon Solo, delivering a commanding performance in the Champagne Stakes (G1). The Liam’s Map colt, trained by Summers for Gold Square, seized the lead immediately and never looked back. Despite brisk fractions—22.53 and 44.24—he powered clear in the stretch to win by six and one-quarter lengths in 1:34.57.

“He broke so well I didn’t want to check him,” Rosario said. “I thought he’d settle third or fourth, but he was so comfortable up front that I let him roll. It felt easy the whole way.”

The victory secured Napoleon Solo a berth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) and 10 points toward the Kentucky Derby 2026. Bred by John D. Gunther and Eurowest Bloodstock, the colt had debuted at Saratoga with a 5 1/4-length victory and confirmed his potential in this leap to G1 competition.

“We’ve been chasing a G1 horse, and here he is,” said an emotional Summers. “This is very special for Al Gold and his family. It was a big step, and he earned the right to dream. Joel let him do his thing, and the horse responded like a champion. Not many can run 44 seconds and still finish so easily.”

Summers tempered enthusiasm with caution: “We’ll see how he comes out of this effort. He’s only had two races, and while we may target the Breeders’ Cup, we have to think long-term. The excitement is there, and that says a lot.”

In the Champagne, Talkin (Good Magic)—another Gargan trainee—finished strongly for second, showing promise. “He was running to learn,” Gargan said. “I think he’ll be a good two-turn horse; the Remsen (G2) in December is likely next.”

Ultimately, the afternoon at the Big A was a festival of precocious talent—and a showcase of a jockey in supreme form. Rosario, with calm and instinct, guided two promising young horses to stardom with the ease of a master.

With Iron Orchard and Napoleon Solo, U.S. racing has two new stars to follow, and Joel Rosario once again proved to be the quiet hero of the turf.