Napoleon Solo will also go for glory in the Breeders' Cup Classic

The winner of the Preakness Stakes (G1) was confirmed by Chad Summers for Saturday's marquee event at Keeneland, while Further Ado will ultimately run in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1). Knightsbridge will also take part in the main event of the series

BY DIEGO H. MITAGSTEIN (Special Envoy for Turf Diario to Lexington, Kentucky)

LEXINGTON, Kentucky (From a Special Envoy).— As the draw for post positions draws near, the field for Saturday's Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) at Keeneland is taking its final shape. Monday morning brought major developments,particularly surrounding several contenders cross-entered in both the 2,000-meter showcase and the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1) whose connections still needed to render a definitive verdict.

One of the most intriguing confirmations was that of Napoleon Solo, the Preakness Stakes (G1) winner, who will ultimately tackle the ultimate challenge, as announced by trainer Chad Summers. The 3-year-old colt will get another opportunity over 2,000 meters, a distance in which he previously left a standout impression when finishing second in the Travers Stakes (G1) at Saratoga.

The decision was far from simple. On one side sat the option of competing over the mile in what appeared to be a less demanding spot, while the alternative meant taking on many of the finest horses in the world in the $7,000,000 main event.

However, Chad Summers believed his pupil had earned sufficient merit to warrant another shot at the highest tier over the classic distance.

“We were waiting to see what Godolphin would do with Knightsbridge (Nyquist), but we finally resolved to run in the Breeders' Cup Classic. We talked a lot with the team about what kind of horse we have and what he has proven so far. We felt he was extremely brave in defeat in the Travers Stakes over 2,000 meters, and we felt he deserved another chance at that distance,” explained the trainer.

Chad Summers was even more emphatic when expanding on his reasoning: “Perhaps the Breeders' Cup Dirt Milewould have been an easier race, but we've never been ones to duck anyone, and we're not going to start now.”

Napoleon Solo captured the Preakness Stakes before placing second in both the Haskell Stakes (G1) and the Travers Stakes, cementing his position as one of the elite 3-year-olds of the American season. Now he will aim to make a major leap against older horses, with veteran Hall of Famer John Velazquez taking the reins.

The son of Liam's Map also earned high marks from Chad Summers following his Monday movement at Keeneland,where the trainer sought to inspect how he handled specific sections of the track that had not fully satisfied him during his previous breeze. The response was positive and cleared any lingering doubts.

Meanwhile, Knightsbridge was also confirmed to contest the Breeders' Cup Classic after being cross-entered in both events, as reported earlier today.