Baby Vino produced the biggest performance of his career to capture the Grade 1 Haskell Stakes at Monmouth Park, overcoming a significant rise in class to defeat Preakness Stakes winner Napoleon Solo in a fiercely contested finish. The 28-1 outsider not only secured the richest victory of his career but also booked an automatic place in the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Classic through the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series. The result also delivered a series of career-defining milestones, with trainer Lindsay Schultz becoming the first woman to win the Haskell in its 59-run history and jockey Jorge Vargas Jr. celebrating his first Grade 1 success.

Run on a sloppy, sealed surface before a rain-soaked crowd of 35,608, Baby Vino rewarded supporters with a $58 return for a $2 wager after holding Napoleon Solo by half a length. It was the biggest Haskell win payout since Skip Trial returned $73 in 1985.

Co-owned by Marcus Osborn, James "Smoky" Osborn's Cosmo Stables and Josh Isner's Delta Squad Racing, the son of Vino Rosso arrived at Monmouth after gradually progressing through the ranks. Having needed five attempts to break his maiden at Oaklawn Park, he signalled his potential when cruising to a 10¾-length victory in the Listed Pegasus Stakes, the traditional local Haskell trial.

A Bold Decision Rewarded

That dominant prep performance convinced Schultz to take on established Grade 1 performers, including Napoleon Solo and Further Ado.

Schultz explained that confidence in the colt had been building for some time.

"From what he has shown us in the mornings, if he was able to get to this step we were going to take it. I thought we were competitive in this field. You never know until you're there, but I thought he belonged. After his last race we thought this was the right place to try. When this horse broke his maiden you think about what he could do down the line so it was definitely on our minds at that point."

The victory carried additional significance as Schultz saddled her first runner at Grade 1 level. She became only the seventh woman to train a Haskell runner and the first to win the race.

Perfect Ride In Testing Conditions

Baby Vino was also facing an unknown in the going, with Saturday marking his first start on a sloppy track. Vargas settled the colt behind Napoleon Solo, who dictated the pace through fractions of 24.15, 48.29, 1:12.01 and 1:36.98.

Moving into contention along the inside approaching the far turn, Baby Vino ranged alongside the leader before the pair engaged in a prolonged stretch duel. They brushed each other several times in the closing stages, but Baby Vino found enough to stop the clock in 1:50.18 and prevail by half a length. Iron Honor finished another 3½ lengths away in third.

The stewards posted the inquiry sign immediately after the finish before allowing the result to stand.

Reflecting on the incident, Schultz acknowledged the competitive nature of the finish.

"It was a horse race to the wire. Both of them were going back and forth. I think the stewards have to look at something like that."

Vargas shared the same view, describing the contact as part of top-level race riding.

"It's racing riding. Paco obviously was doing his job. If I was in his position I would have done the same thing."

Respect From The Runner-Up's Camp

Trainer Chad Summers admitted disappointment after Napoleon Solo narrowly missed adding the Haskell to his Preakness Stakes success, but he also acknowledged the quality of the winner.

Summers noted that his stable had long respected Baby Vino's ability.

"Going into this race we had a lot of respect for Lindsay and Baby Vino and the work she has done with him. Paco Lopez has been telling me about this horse for a long time now, about how good the horse is."

He believed his colt had performed with distinction despite the defeat.

"To me, this was one of the deepest groups in the Haskell that I can remember from top to bottom. You're beating some accomplished horses. We were a clear second, so I'm proud of him. I don't think he necessarily loved this track, but I don't want to make excuses because we all had to run over it."

A Landmark Day For Connections

The victory represented the first Grade 1 success for Vargas, who has ridden regularly at Monmouth Park for the past several seasons.

He described the achievement as the defining moment of his career.

"I still can't believe it. I have been coming to Monmouth Park every summer for the past six or seven years and this is the biggest race in New Jersey. To be able to win it is surreal. This is the highlight of my career, for sure. I just hope now my career keeps going up. I showed when I am on the right horse I can get the job done. Now I'm hoping for more opportunities – especially with Baby Vino."

For Schultz, who has around 60 horses in training at Monmouth Park, the result validated the faith she had always placed in the colt.

"It's huge for our stable. It's a really big deal. It's so great for this horse. From the moment he started working we just loved this horse, and to really show what he has is what we do it for. Hopefully, there will be more Grade 1 wins to come."

The triumph was equally memorable for the ownership group, with Baby Vino becoming the first stakes winner for Cosmo Stables. Reflecting on the journey, Smoky Osborn credited Schultz's patient handling of the colt.

"We went through a few trials with this horse, and Lindsay's been really great. She brought the horse along. Yesterday morning we went to the barn and I said, 'I guess we'll see what kind of horse we've got.' She said, 'You've already got a good horse.'"

Although discussions naturally turned to the Grade 1 Travers Stakes and the Breeders' Cup Classic, Schultz stopped short of committing to a campaign, preferring to savour a breakthrough performance that transformed Baby Vino from an emerging prospect into a proven Grade 1 winner.

Image Extraction Monmouth Park