Photograph: Jason Moran/Eclipse Sportswire
Chad Summers would not appear disenchanted by this. napoleon soloHe completed fifth within the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream Park on Saturday.
The 1 1/16-mile race received by Commandment was the colt’s first begin since successful the Champagne (G1) in October.
“We at all times mentioned he wanted one level,” Summers mentioned. “I am blissful he completed the race. He has 15 (Kentucky Derby qualifying) factors, so he is shifting ahead. The previous few years, the Derby entry line was 37, 39. If he performs one, two, three within the subsequent race, he’ll get to 40 factors, so we’re actually shifting ahead.”
“He appeared image excellent within the paddock,” Summers mentioned earlier than the race at Gulfstream Park. “He was just a little excited within the warm-up and did not get one of the best relaxation. One in all his strengths in his first two begins was that he was superb as a gate horse. He was capable of put himself in the appropriate place in a method.”
“As soon as we had some reconciliation, I believed Kendrick (Carmouche) did a great job of getting him on board,” Summers mentioned. “Clearly he had some floor losses however he was driving by means of the turns nicely and I believed he was simply drained. It is his first return since October and it is a predictable begin. Perhaps he was just a little additional again than we thought he may find yourself touchdown, however we knew the place we have been by way of health.”
Coach Summers has not but selected Napoleon Solo’s subsequent begin.
“The beauty of working on the Fountain of Youth is that although it was a very, actually robust race, I did not ship, so all my choices have been open for the following race. So I am not recovering and I haven’t got to fret an excessive amount of about dropping pounds within the race and transport. Which means all my choices stay on the desk.”
Napoleon Solo is a $40,000 yearling and is owned by Gold Sq.. He additionally received his debut at Saratoga in August and went 2-2 at Fountain of Youth.
“We have now to maneuver ahead,” Summers mentioned. “I’ve to get higher. That is what this 3-year-old race is all about. I am positive I will simply take it in the future at a time, one race at a time.”
“I believe there’s a number of doubters going into this sport. Let’s examine what occurs.”
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