Napoleon Solo captured the Preakness Stakes on Saturday, edging Iron Honor by 1 1/4 lengths for his first victory of the year. The 7-1 shot had finished fifth in his previous two starts before breaking through at Laurel Park. Kentucky Derby winner Golden Tempo skipped the race, leaving a wide-open field of 14 horses to contest the middle jewel of the Triple Crown.

The race moved to Laurel this year because Pimlico in Baltimore is undergoing reconstruction. Taj Mahal went off as the 9-2 favorite — the longest odds for a Preakness favorite since the event switched to its current 1 3/16-mile distance in 1925. Iron Honor had been the morning-line favorite at 9-2 but drifted to 8-1 by post time.

Taj Mahal set the early pace, covering the opening quarter in 22.66 seconds before Napoleon Solo caught him near the top of the stretch. Chip Honcho finished third. The usual rowdy Preakness atmosphere was muted this year, with attendance capped at 4,800 spectators.