Friday at Palm Meadows Training Center unfolded with energy and focus as the region’s top three-year-olds readied themselves for the South Florida Triple Crown trail. Standing out among them, Gold Square LLC’s Napoleon Solo moved with sharp precision during a half-mile breeze, showing the poise and strength of a colt already carrying Grade 1 credentials.
Stopping the clock in 48.45 seconds, the Chad Summers-trained son of Liam’s Map ranked fourth among 45 recorded works at the distance. It was a professional piece of business, marking his sixth local workout since arriving at Gulfstream’s satellite facility. For Summers, the rigorous schedule isn’t accidental; it’s a blueprint borrowed from greatness.
“We came here with a plan,” Summers noted, watching his stable star cool out. “We looked and saw Sovereignty had six breezes before his Fountain of Youth last year and we decided to make that plan as close as we could.”
If the comparison holds, the rest of the field should be on high alert. Sovereignty parlayed that exact preparation into a victory in the 2025 Fountain of Youth, eventually securing Horse of the Year honors. Napoleon Solo enters his three-year-old debut with a perfect resume, having dominated his Saratoga debut by five lengths before a daylight victory in the Grade 1 Champagne at Aqueduct last October.
Nearly Bypasses Fountain of Youth for Florida Derby
While Napoleon Solo readies for the Fountain of Youth, another heavy hitter is taking a more patient path. Centennial Farms’ Nearly, fresh off a convincing score in the Holy Bull (G3) on January 24, turned in a maintenance half-mile in 50.98 seconds at Palm Beach Downs.
Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher has opted to bypass the upcoming 1 1/16-mile test, preferring to keep the son of Not This Time fresh for the $1 million Florida Derby on March 28. It’s a calculated move for a colt who has climbed the ladder rapidly, moving from maiden winner to graded stakes victor in just three starts.
Jack’s Promise Seeks Consistency in Gulfstream Park Sprint
In Saturday’s feature, the $125,000 Gulfstream Park Sprint, trainer Dale Romans is hoping the “good” version of Jack’s Promise shows up. The four-year-old has been a bit of a puzzle for the veteran conditioner, occasionally underperforming without warning before rebounding with grit.
“What I couldn’t figure out was he’d throw in a clunker with no explanation,” Romans said. “I think he’s figured that out a little bit and has become more competitive.”
The Baron Thoroughbreds LLC homebred surprised even his own camp on Christmas Eve, uncharacteristically gunning for the lead and digging in to win by a neck. He faces a stiff challenge Saturday against the 7-5 favorite Damon’s Mound, a Bill Mott trainee nearing the $1 million earnings mark.
Reef Runner Sets Sights on Dubai Glory
On the international front, trainer David Fawkes is back in Florida, but his stable star Reef Runner remains abroad. Following a gutsy victory in the $2 million 1351 Turf Sprint in Saudi Arabia last weekend, the five-year-old gelding has been sent to Dubai.
The son of The Big Beast is targeting the Grade 1 Al Quoz Turf Sprint on the Dubai World Cup undercard. “He did everything right from the day he got there,” Fawkes said of the Middle Eastern trip. “When he got there, he got better and better.”
Since being gelded, Reef Runner has found a new level of focus, capturing the Eddie D. (G2) and the Janus Stakes before his recent international breakthrough.
Friday Results and Saturday Outlook
The Friday card at Gulfstream Park saw the 20-cent Rainbow 6 jackpot solved, with a single ticket holder collecting $77,817.84. The winning sequence (7-4-3-7-9-2) covered Races 5 through 10.
In the irons, Edgard Zayas enjoyed a productive afternoon, securing a double with Jeter in the opener and Sheshimaintenance in the finale.
The Rainbow 6 pool resets on Saturday, anchored by the high-speed drama of the Gulfstream Park Sprint in Race 10.
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