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Saratoga Notebook, Presented By NYRA Bets: Preakness Winner Napoleon Solo Eying Travers Stakes

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SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – It’s not a done deal by any means, but trainer Chad Summers is taking a long, hard look at running GI Preakness Stakes winner Napoleon Solo (Liam’s Map) in the GI DK Travers Stakes Aug. 29.

“We are strongly considering the Travers,” Summers said on the Saratoga backstretch Wednesday morning. “The Travers is a very historic race. [GI Kentucky Derby, GI Belmont Stakes winner] Golden Tempo (Curlin) is clearly the clear-cut favorite for championship honors for 3-year-old of the year, maybe the best 3-year-olds need to square off against each other.”

This, after Napoleon Solo had his first work since finishing second in the GI Haskell Stakes at Monmouth Park July 18 behind 28-1 longshot Baby Vino (Vino Rosso). Baby Vino is also being pointed to the Midsummer Derby.

The other race under consideration for Napoleon Solo is the GI Pennsylvania Derby at Parx Racing Sept. 19.

“If we were in the Pennsylvania Derby, we would probably be the favorite,” Summers said. “We would probably be the third or fourth choice in the Travers. If you add the Travers to your CV and you have won the Preakness and the [GI] Champagne, you are talking about a serious stallion prospect.”

Trainer Chad Summers with Napoleon Solo | Sarah Andrew

Napoleon Solo is expected to run as a 4-year-old before standing at Lane’s End when he retires from racing.

On Wednesday morning, Napoleon Solo breezed four furlongs by himself in :48.67 (13/52) on the main track.

After winning both starts as a 2-year-old, the front-loving Napoleon Solo, named for the private eye of the same name in the 1960s TV show “The Man from U.N.C.L.E.” has a win and a second in four starts this year.

His biggest win was the Preakness, when he scored by 1 1/4 lengths.

A final decision on where Napoleon Solo runs next will be made after Summers consults owner ESPOIR USA, Inc., which purchased the grey colt for a whopping undisclosed price after the Preakness.

“There are positives in running in both races,” Summers said. “But if we were to go to the Pennsylvania Derby and win, it would be tough to win the 3-year-old championship. We won the Preakness and if we win the Travers–can we win the Travers?–and then the Breeders’ Cup… we are thinking about the Travers. Let’s dance.”

Mott Hoping for Big Whitney Effort From Sovereignty

When talking about this weekend’s GI Whitney Stakes and one of his two horses entered, 2025 Horse of the Year Sovereignty (Into Mischief), Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott borrowed a line from the incomparable Yogi Berra.

Sovereignty schools for Whitney Stakes | Tod Marks

Besides winning 10 World Series rings with the New York Yankees, Berra was well known for saying some outrageous things.

While being asked about what could be expected from Sovereignty, the 3-1 second choice on the morning line in the loaded Whitney, Mott stole a ‘Yogi-ism.’

“It’s tough to make predictions,” Mott said with a smile, “especially about the future.”

Sovereignty, winner of five of six last year–including three Grade Is (Kentucky Derby, Belmont Stakes, Travers Stakes)–has been slow out of the gate in 2026.

He was a good second in the GII Oaklawn Handicap, which was his first start in eight months and then a dull third over a sloppy track at Churchill Downs in the GI Stephen Foster June 27.

Now, here he is in the Whitney and facing the top horses in the older horse division. Magnitude (Not This Time) beat him in the Foster (as did stablemate Baeza (McKinzie)) and White Abarrio (Race Day), the Oaklawn Handicap victor.

Time is running out on Sovereignty’s racing days. After the Whitney, he has two dates left, the GI Jockey Club Gold Cup on opening day at the new Belmont Park (Sept. 18) and the GI Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic at Keeneland Oct. 31.

“For me, each one becomes a little more important,” Mott said. “I want to see him run well [in the Whitney]. I don’t want to see him throw in a stinker. Even if he gets beat, you want to see a game effort.”

He didn’t see it in the Stephen Foster where Sovereignty was defeated by 5 1/4 lengths, the most he has ever lost by in his five career defeats.

“I am a little baffled over the last race, probably like everyone else is,” Mott said, saying the only excuse he could come up with was the sloppy track. “He inhaled a lot of dirt; he coughed for an hour after that race, and I never heard him like that.”

Bill Mott with Sovereignty | Sarah Andrew

The Godolphin homebred has finished off the board just once, and that came in his first ever start when he was fourth in a maiden at Saratoga in 2024.

Mott said Sovereignty has checked all the boxes since the Stephen Foster. He said his color is good, he is eating good, he is moving good. He has never been a fast worker, but he has done what Mott has asked him to do on the Oklahoma Training Track.

“He has worked a minute and change and that is pretty damn good on the Oklahoma,” Mott said.

But, as far as going out and making predictions, no can do.

“I am sure there are some people who are skeptics,” he said. “I always take a wait and see attitude. I am optimistic, but I am not making any predictions.”

Exercise rider Soto Feels Nitrogen’s Power

When he unites with the fabulously fast filly named Nitrogen (Medaglia d’Oro) every morning, Edwin Soto, her exercise rider, routinely describes her in one word. Or two.

“Amazing,” Soto said outside of Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse’s barn. “Spectacular.”

Such is the life around Nitrogen, last year’s champion 3-year-old filly, who has a chance to go down as one of the greats if she can win Saturday’s Whitney.

In 16 career starts, she has eight wins, five seconds and three thirds. She has won on turf. She has won on dirt. In her last start, against older fillies and mares, Nitrogen blitzed five rivals when she won the GI Ogden Phipps on the front end by 12 3/4 lengths.

Edwin Soto aboard Nitrogen at the Spa | Sarah Andrew

She will attempt to be the first filly since Personal Ensign (Private Account) in 1988 to beat the boys in the prestigious Whitney.

Soto, 33, has been getting on her for the last two months.

“Every day, she feels better and better,” Soto said. “She is easy, a smart filly. She is so intelligent, she just does everything by herself.”

When asked to describe what it’s like being on her back, Soto paused and thought for a minute. Then he smiled.

“She’s like a Formula 1 car,” he said. “You ask for more, she gives you more and more and more. She is going into a tough race, I know that. But she can win it. I’ll be a little nervous, but I know how good she is.”

Soto has 447 mounts as a jockey on his resume and won 23 times in a career that ended in 2019.

“I liked eating too much,” the fit Soto said, smiling again.

Casse has the utmost confidence in all his exercise riders. When Hall of Fame jockey Johnny Velazquez, who is riding Nitrogen in the Whitney, offered to work her, Casse said it wasn’t necessary.

“This is their lives,” he said of Soto and the rest of his exercise riders. “They love all these horses.”

The post Saratoga Notebook, Presented By NYRA Bets: Preakness Winner Napoleon Solo Eying Travers Stakes appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Weekly National Rulings: July 30-Aug. 5

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Every week, the TDN posts a roundup of the relevant Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) related rulings from around the country.

The following rulings were reported on HISA’s “rulings” portal and through the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit’s (HIWU) “pending” and “resolved” cases portals.

Resolved ADMC Violations
Dates: 08/04/2026
Licensee: Philip Antonacci, trainer
Penalty: A written Reprimand (per 9/26/23 HISA Guidance).
Explainer: Vet’s list medication violations for the presence of Omeprazole–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Amangani on 6/22/26.

Dates: 07/31/2026
Licensee: Ralph D’Alessandro, trainer
Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on August 1, 2026; Disqualification of Covered Horse’s Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $1,000; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points.
Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Triamcinolone–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Three Captains, who finished second at Finger Lakes on 6/10/26.

Dates: 07/30/2026
Licensee: Joel M Campbell, trainer
Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse’s Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Final decision of HIWU.
Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Phenylbutazone–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from She Stopped Short, who finished fourth at Hawthorne on 6/4/26.

Dates: 07/30/2026
Licensee: Reynaldo Yanez, trainer
Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse’s Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Final decision of an internal adjudication panel.
Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Methocarbamol–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Goodie Goomer, who won at Tampa Bay on 4/29/26.

Pending ADMC Violations
08/05/2026, Clyde Martin Jr., trainer: Pending medication violations for the presence of Acepromazine–a class B controlled substance–in a sample taken from Kazillion on 7/3/26.

08/05/2026, Domenick Schettino, trainer: Pending medication violations for the presence of Dexamethasone–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from That’sthefactjack, who won at Belmont at the Big A on 5/16/26.

08/04/2026, S. Matthew Kintz, trainer: Pending medication violations for the presence of Phenylbutazone–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Cocktail Kisses, who won at Presque Isle Downs on 7/6/26.

08/04/2026, Kelly John Breen, trainer: Pending vets’ list medication violations for the presence of Dantrolene–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Aces Full on 7/1/26.

08/03/2026, Alfred Michael Vuocolo, trainer: Pending vets’ list medication violations for the presence of Flunixin–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Joe Vittori on 7/3/26.

08/03/2026, Sergio Donjuan, trainer: Pending medication violations for the presence of Lidocaine–a class B controlled substance–in a sample taken from Coda Mia, who won at Belterra Park on 6/18/26.

08/03/2026, Ron Ellis, trainer: Pending medication violations for the presence of Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO)–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Day at the Track, who finished third at Santa Anita on 6/15/26.

08/03/2026, Anne Wisdom, trainer: Pending medication violations for the presence of Methocarbamol–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Da Smoke, who finished second at Emerald Downs on 6/14/26.

07/31/2026, Niki G. Goodwin, trainer: Pending vet’s list medication violations for the presence of Acepromazine–a class B controlled substance–in a sample taken from Morgs World on 7/4/26.

Crop Violations
Delaware Park
Jesus M. Suarez–reporting date August 1; $500 fine, three-day suspension
Edwin Gonzalez–reporting date August 1; $1,000 fine, four-day suspension, on appeal stay requested

Del Mar
Francisco Monroy–reporting date August 1; $250 fine, one-day suspension

Gulfstream Park
Pedro L. Pena–reporting date August 3; $250 fine, one-day suspension
Jozbin Z. Santana–reporting date August 2; $250 fine, one-day suspension

Monmouth Park
Pascacio Lopez–reporting date August 2; $250 fine, one-day suspension

Thistledown
McKenna K. Anderson–reporting date August 3; $250 fine, one-day suspension, on appeal stay requested

The post Weekly National Rulings: July 30-Aug. 5 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Saratoga Notebook, Presented By NYRA Bets: Preakness Winner Napoleon Solo Eying Travers Stakes

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SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – It’s not a done deal by any means, but trainer Chad Summers is taking a long, hard look at running GI Preakness Stakes winner Napoleon Solo (Liam’s Map) in the GI DK Travers Stakes Aug. 29.

“We are strongly considering the Travers,” Summers said on the Saratoga backstretch Wednesday morning. “The Travers is a very historic race. [GI Kentucky Derby, GI Belmont Stakes winner] Golden Tempo (Curlin) is clearly the clear-cut favorite for championship honors for 3-year-old of the year, maybe the best 3-year-olds need to square off against each other.”

This, after Napoleon Solo had his first work since finishing second in the GI Haskell Stakes at Monmouth Park July 18 behind 28-1 longshot Baby Vino (Vino Rosso). Baby Vino is also being pointed to the Midsummer Derby.

The other race under consideration for Napoleon Solo is the GI Pennsylvania Derby at Parx Racing Sept. 19.

“If we were in the Pennsylvania Derby, we would probably be the favorite,” Summers said. “We would probably be the third or fourth choice in the Travers. If you add the Travers to your CV and you have won the Preakness and the [GI] Champagne, you are talking about a serious stallion prospect.”

Trainer Chad Summers with Napoleon Solo | Sarah Andrew

Napoleon Solo is expected to run as a 4-year-old before standing at Lane’s End when he retires from racing.

On Wednesday morning, Napoleon Solo breezed four furlongs by himself in :48.67 (13/52) on the main track.

After winning both starts as a 2-year-old, the front-loving Napoleon Solo, named for the private eye of the same name in the 1960s TV show “The Man from U.N.C.L.E.” has a win and a second in four starts this year.

His biggest win was the Preakness, when he scored by 1 1/4 lengths.

A final decision on where Napoleon Solo runs next will be made after Summers consults owner ESPOIR USA, Inc., which purchased the grey colt for a whopping undisclosed price after the Preakness.

“There are positives in running in both races,” Summers said. “But if we were to go to the Pennsylvania Derby and win, it would be tough to win the 3-year-old championship. We won the Preakness and if we win the Travers–can we win the Travers?–and then the Breeders’ Cup… we are thinking about the Travers. Let’s dance.”

Mott Hoping for Big Whitney Effort From Sovereignty

When talking about this weekend’s GI Whitney Stakes and one of his two horses entered, 2025 Horse of the Year Sovereignty (Into Mischief), Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott borrowed a line from the incomparable Yogi Berra.

Sovereignty schools for Whitney Stakes | Tod Marks

Besides winning 10 World Series rings with the New York Yankees, Berra was well known for saying some outrageous things.

While being asked about what could be expected from Sovereignty, the 3-1 second choice on the morning line in the loaded Whitney, Mott stole a ‘Yogi-ism.’

“It’s tough to make predictions,” Mott said with a smile, “especially about the future.”

Sovereignty, winner of five of six last year–including three Grade Is (Kentucky Derby, Belmont Stakes, Travers Stakes)–has been slow out of the gate in 2026.

He was a good second in the GII Oaklawn Handicap, which was his first start in eight months and then a dull third over a sloppy track at Churchill Downs in the GI Stephen Foster June 27.

Now, here he is in the Whitney and facing the top horses in the older horse division. Magnitude (Not This Time) beat him in the Foster (as did stablemate Baeza (McKinzie)) and White Abarrio (Race Day), the Oaklawn Handicap victor.

Time is running out on Sovereignty’s racing days. After the Whitney, he has two dates left, the GI Jockey Club Gold Cup on opening day at the new Belmont Park (Sept. 18) and the GI Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic at Keeneland Oct. 31.

“For me, each one becomes a little more important,” Mott said. “I want to see him run well [in the Whitney]. I don’t want to see him throw in a stinker. Even if he gets beat, you want to see a game effort.”

He didn’t see it in the Stephen Foster where Sovereignty was defeated by 5 1/4 lengths, the most he has ever lost by in his five career defeats.

“I am a little baffled over the last race, probably like everyone else is,” Mott said, saying the only excuse he could come up with was the sloppy track. “He inhaled a lot of dirt; he coughed for an hour after that race, and I never heard him like that.”

Bill Mott with Sovereignty | Sarah Andrew

The Godolphin homebred has finished off the board just once, and that came in his first ever start when he was fourth in a maiden at Saratoga in 2024.

Mott said Sovereignty has checked all the boxes since the Stephen Foster. He said his color is good, he is eating good, he is moving good. He has never been a fast worker, but he has done what Mott has asked him to do on the Oklahoma Training Track.

“He has worked a minute and change and that is pretty damn good on the Oklahoma,” Mott said.

But, as far as going out and making predictions, no can do.

“I am sure there are some people who are skeptics,” he said. “I always take a wait and see attitude. I am optimistic, but I am not making any predictions.”

Exercise rider Soto Feels Nitrogen’s Power

When he unites with the fabulously fast filly named Nitrogen (Medaglia d’Oro) every morning, Edwin Soto, her exercise rider, routinely describes her in one word. Or two.

“Amazing,” Soto said outside of Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse’s barn. “Spectacular.”

Such is the life around Nitrogen, last year’s champion 3-year-old filly, who has a chance to go down as one of the greats if she can win Saturday’s Whitney.

In 16 career starts, she has eight wins, five seconds and three thirds. She has won on turf. She has won on dirt. In her last start, against older fillies and mares, Nitrogen blitzed five rivals when she won the GI Ogden Phipps on the front end by 12 3/4 lengths.

Edwin Soto aboard Nitrogen at the Spa | Sarah Andrew

She will attempt to be the first filly since Personal Ensign (Private Account) in 1988 to beat the boys in the prestigious Whitney.

Soto, 33, has been getting on her for the last two months.

“Every day, she feels better and better,” Soto said. “She is easy, a smart filly. She is so intelligent, she just does everything by herself.”

When asked to describe what it’s like being on her back, Soto paused and thought for a minute. Then he smiled.

“She’s like a Formula 1 car,” he said. “You ask for more, she gives you more and more and more. She is going into a tough race, I know that. But she can win it. I’ll be a little nervous, but I know how good she is.”

Soto has 447 mounts as a jockey on his resume and won 23 times in a career that ended in 2019.

“I liked eating too much,” the fit Soto said, smiling again.

Casse has the utmost confidence in all his exercise riders. When Hall of Fame jockey Johnny Velazquez, who is riding Nitrogen in the Whitney, offered to work her, Casse said it wasn’t necessary.

“This is their lives,” he said of Soto and the rest of his exercise riders. “They love all these horses.”

The post Saratoga Notebook, Presented By NYRA Bets: Preakness Winner Napoleon Solo Eying Travers Stakes appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Weekly National Rulings: July 30-Aug. 5

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Every week, the TDN posts a roundup of the relevant Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) related rulings from around the country.

The following rulings were reported on HISA’s “rulings” portal and through the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit’s (HIWU) “pending” and “resolved” cases portals.

Resolved ADMC Violations
Dates: 08/04/2026
Licensee: Philip Antonacci, trainer
Penalty: A written Reprimand (per 9/26/23 HISA Guidance).
Explainer: Vet’s list medication violations for the presence of Omeprazole–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Amangani on 6/22/26.

Dates: 07/31/2026
Licensee: Ralph D’Alessandro, trainer
Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on August 1, 2026; Disqualification of Covered Horse’s Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $1,000; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points.
Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Triamcinolone–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Three Captains, who finished second at Finger Lakes on 6/10/26.

Dates: 07/30/2026
Licensee: Joel M Campbell, trainer
Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse’s Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Final decision of HIWU.
Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Phenylbutazone–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from She Stopped Short, who finished fourth at Hawthorne on 6/4/26.

Dates: 07/30/2026
Licensee: Reynaldo Yanez, trainer
Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse’s Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Final decision of an internal adjudication panel.
Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Methocarbamol–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Goodie Goomer, who won at Tampa Bay on 4/29/26.

Pending ADMC Violations
08/05/2026, Clyde Martin Jr., trainer: Pending medication violations for the presence of Acepromazine–a class B controlled substance–in a sample taken from Kazillion on 7/3/26.

08/05/2026, Domenick Schettino, trainer: Pending medication violations for the presence of Dexamethasone–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from That’sthefactjack, who won at Belmont at the Big A on 5/16/26.

08/04/2026, S. Matthew Kintz, trainer: Pending medication violations for the presence of Phenylbutazone–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Cocktail Kisses, who won at Presque Isle Downs on 7/6/26.

08/04/2026, Kelly John Breen, trainer: Pending vets’ list medication violations for the presence of Dantrolene–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Aces Full on 7/1/26.

08/03/2026, Alfred Michael Vuocolo, trainer: Pending vets’ list medication violations for the presence of Flunixin–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Joe Vittori on 7/3/26.

08/03/2026, Sergio Donjuan, trainer: Pending medication violations for the presence of Lidocaine–a class B controlled substance–in a sample taken from Coda Mia, who won at Belterra Park on 6/18/26.

08/03/2026, Ron Ellis, trainer: Pending medication violations for the presence of Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO)–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Day at the Track, who finished third at Santa Anita on 6/15/26.

08/03/2026, Anne Wisdom, trainer: Pending medication violations for the presence of Methocarbamol–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Da Smoke, who finished second at Emerald Downs on 6/14/26.

07/31/2026, Niki G. Goodwin, trainer: Pending vet’s list medication violations for the presence of Acepromazine–a class B controlled substance–in a sample taken from Morgs World on 7/4/26.

Crop Violations
Delaware Park
Jesus M. Suarez–reporting date August 1; $500 fine, three-day suspension
Edwin Gonzalez–reporting date August 1; $1,000 fine, four-day suspension, on appeal stay requested

Del Mar
Francisco Monroy–reporting date August 1; $250 fine, one-day suspension

Gulfstream Park
Pedro L. Pena–reporting date August 3; $250 fine, one-day suspension
Jozbin Z. Santana–reporting date August 2; $250 fine, one-day suspension

Monmouth Park
Pascacio Lopez–reporting date August 2; $250 fine, one-day suspension

Thistledown
McKenna K. Anderson–reporting date August 3; $250 fine, one-day suspension, on appeal stay requested

The post Weekly National Rulings: July 30-Aug. 5 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.