Grade 1 Winner Napoleon Solo Set for Fountain of Youth

The connections of Napoleon Solo will aim to jump right into qualifying for the Kentucky Derby (G1) when their runner makes his seasonal debut in the $425,000 Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) Feb. 28 at Gulfstream Park. The son of Liam's Map is the field's lone grade 1 winner—earned in a dominating, front-end victory in the Champagne Stakes (G1) Oct. 4 at Aqueduct Racetrack—but he'll be making his first start in nearly five months. Gold Square's Napoleon Solo secured his second win in as many starts with that top-level victory over a one-turn mile, but he has not raced since that effort as the connections opted to skip the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1). Napoleon Solo has delivered three sharp breezes at Palm Meadows this month, earning the bullet for a half-mile Feb. 26 and a five-furlong work Feb. 13. On Feb. 20 he breezed four furlongs in :48.45 in his final serious prep for Saturday's test. Trainer Chad Summers told BloodHorse earlier this month that the 1 1/16-mile test is a starting point for his talented 3-year-old. "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," Summers said. "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." Napoleon Solo is scheduled to break from post 7 in the expected field of 11. The colt has won his only two starts by a combined 11 3/4 lengths. While Napoleon Solo enters with the most established class, plenty of other runners have shown promise and will make their graded stakes debuts in the Fountain of Youth. Commandment, trained by Brad Cox, enters off an impressive 6 3/4-length victory Jan. 3 in the Mucho Macho Man Stakes at Gulfstream. The son of Into Mischief will have the services of Irad Ortiz Jr. Winstar Farm, CHC, and First Go Racing's undefeated Jackson Hole will break from the inside under John Velazquez. The Nyquist colt, who brought $1.3 million at the 2024 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, won his debut at Gulfstream Dec. 13, and followed that up with a 5 1/2-length victory in an allowance optional claiming race at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots Jan. 17. The son of Florida Derby (G1) winner Nyquist is trained by Todd Pletcher, who has won the Fountain of Youth four times. Chief Wallabee (by Constitution) won his 7-furlong debut in a maiden special weight at Gulfstream Jan. 10 by 1 1/2 lengths. Michael and Katherine Ball's lightly raced colt will break from post 6 under Junior Alvarado for trainer Bill Mott, who won the Fountain of Youth last year with eventual 2025 Horse of the Year Sovereignty. Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. will send three colts to the starting gate in Saturday's test that offers Kentucky Derby qualifying points on a 50-25-15-10-5 schedule in Bravaro (Upstart), Bull by the Horns (Essential Quality), and Solitude Dude (Yaupon). "It's an exciting time to have good 3-year-olds who are promising and doing well," Joseph said. "We are hopeful from what they have shown, there is more to come." Bravaro, who finished second in the Holy Bull Stakes (G3) Jan. 31 behind Nearly, will break from post 5 under Tyler Gaffalione. The New York-bred is owned by Albert Ciuffetelli, Stephanie Brennan, Shining Stables, BAG Racing Stables, and Paul Braverman. Peachtree Stable and Mark Corrado's Bull by the Horns will be making his stakes debut under jockey Micah Husbands from post 8. Solitude Dude, ridden by Flavien Prat, enters the race undefeated in three starts, including the Swale Stakes at Gulfstream Jan. 31. He will take his first crack at two turns Saturday, breaking from post 10. "The posts for Bravaro and Bull are fine," Joseph said. "The No. 10 post for Solitude Dude isn't ideal, but when they are meant to win, they will, and if they aren't, they won't. I am learning to not overthink those things. He has tactical speed, and Flavien will work out the trip." Other colts entered include Florida-bred Rockies Balboa, Talkin, Global Aviator, and Lost Money. Centennial Farms' Nearly, who is trained by Pletcher, is aiming for the Florida Derby (G1) March 28.