Napoleon Solo rests with his eyes firmly set on the Breeders’ Cup and the Saudi Cup

Following a heart-wrenching loss by just a half-length to Leading Change in the Travers Stakes (G1), the Champagne Stakes (G1) and Preakness Stakes (G1) winner will not run again until Keeneland; the Classic (G1) and the Dirt Mile(G1) stand as options, with Riyadh lingering as the ultimate long-term target

SARATOGA SPRINGS, New York (Special for Turf Diario).— Two consecutive defeats by just half a length in G1races left Napoleon Solo with a bittersweet feeling, but also definitively confirmed that he belongs at the top of his generation. After finishing second to Leading Change (Gun Runner) in the Travers Stakes (G1), the Espoir USAcolt will take a rest and be prepared directly for the Breeders’ Cup, where it remains to be decided whether he will contest the Classic (G1) or the Dirt Mile (G1).

The decision will also carry a long-range vision. Chad Summers, his trainer, reiterated that the primary goal is to arrive in peak condition for the Saudi Cup (G1) next February.

“He came out of the race really well. We’ll see how things unfold and which of the two races makes the most sense,” Summers explained regarding the Keeneland options. “We’ve never made a secret of the fact that our long-term goal is to reach the Saudi Cup. Whatever moves we make will be planned with that in mind.”

Napoleon Solo came agonizingly close on Saturday to what would have been his third top-level triumph. He grabbed the lead quickly over the 2,000 meters of the Travers and controlled the pace through splits of 23.66, 47.95, and 1:12.62.

When Sea Strike (Midshipman) challenged him entering the stretch, he turned him away. However, Leading Changecame charging on the outside, gradually grinding down the leader under Manny Franco before collaring him in the final 50 meters. Just a half-length separated the two at the wire.

For Napoleon Solo, it was another painfully narrow defeat. He was coming off a half-length second to Baby Vino(Vino Rosso) in the Haskell Stakes (G1) at Monmouth Park. That winner faced him again in the Travers, but finished seventh this time.

“I’m happy and sad at the same time,” Summers acknowledged. “He delivered again, but it hurts not to win the Travers. I wanted it for everyone involved, and I feel our horse ran a winning race.”

The trainer was also quick to praise those who defeated him.

“You have to give credit to Brad Cox’s team. Leading Change got an incredible ride from Franco. We’ve now lost two consecutive G1s by half a length, and maybe we got beaten by the best ride of Jorge Vargas Jr.’s career and the best ride of Manny Franco’s career. We accept it as it is, without taking anything away from our horse, and we hope to avenge this loss just like we did with Baby Vino.”

Napoleon Solo’s campaign already features victories in the Champagne Stakes (G1) and the Preakness Stakes (G1), and his last two runner-up efforts only solidified his consistency among the elite.

Now comes a breather. Summers ruled out running in any prep race before the Breeders’ Cup on October 31, explaining that the decision is also tied to the demanding calendar that follows.

With the Saudi Cup slated for February, Napoleon Solo will not have the option of enjoying an extended farm vacation, as often happens with top horses at the end of their 3-year-old season. Furthermore, the connections intend to give him at least one start between the Breeders’ Cup and his eventual journey to Riyadh.

Because of that, the time to let off the gas is right now.

The remaining question mark is the distance choice at Keeneland. The Travers demonstrated once again that Napoleon Solo can sustain his output over 2,000 meters, which naturally strengthens the argument for the Breeders’ Cup Classic. However, the Dirt Mile remains firmly on the table.

After two tight losses, Summers sees no reason to alter course. Napoleon Solo keeps showing up, keeps battling, and continues to run as one of the top colts in the United States. Now he will take time to recharge his batteries. Keenelandwill be the next stop; Saudi Arabia, the major goal looming on the horizon.