Trainer Chad Summers says Gold Square's undefeated Champagne Stakes (G1) winner Napoleon Solo will be entered in the Feb. 28 Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) at Gulfstream Park for what would be his 3-year-old debut.
"It's a building block. I know people don't like to hear this but you have to start somewhere. We'll go from there. He'll have his final breeze for the race (Feb. 20) and we know where we are from a fitness standpoint. We're ready to start his 3-year-old season. That's the important thing. It's the plan we have. I am glad it's working out and we'll see if he can move up a few spots in the polls."
Summers said he may also enter the son of Liam's Map in the Feb. 28 Gotham Stakes (G3) at Aqueduct Racetrack if the mile-and-a-sixteenth Fountain of Youth attracts a large field and Napoleon Solo lands a far outside post in the Feb. 21 draw.
"You don't want to line up next to Pegasus (the statue) in the parking lot," Summers said. "You want to be smart."
Both the Fountain of Youth and the one-turn mile Gotham offer 50-25-15-10-5 Kentucky Derby (G1) qualifying points. A win in either race would likely cement a spot in the field for the opening jewel in the Triple Crown.
Napoleon Solo, a winner of both career starts, has 10 points through his Champagne victory.
