The track was sloppy, the finish sensational as 28-1 longshot Baby Vino out-dueled Napoleon Solo in the stretch and won the $1 million Haskell Stakes (G1) by a half-length on Saturday at Monmouth Park.
The result was one of the biggest upsets in Haskell history, with Baby Vino returning $58 on a $2 win bet. Napoleon Solo, the Preakness Stakes (G1) winner, was third betting choice and the $1 exacta returned a $153.40; Iron Honor was third, with the 50-cent trifecta returning $326.75 and 10-cent superfecta with The Puma fourth paid $289.95.
The victory earned Baby Vino an automatic berth into the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) at Keeneland on Oct. 31 as the Haskell is part of the Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In’’ Challenge Series.
Iron Honor was third, followed by The Puma, Star Sweeper, Further Ado and Ocelli, the richest maiden in racing who is now 0-for-10.
Baby Vino is a son of Vino Rosso, who won the 2019 Breeders’ Cup Classic.
The biggest upset in Haskell history came in 1985 when Skip Trial won at 35-1 and returned $73. It’s rare for a longshot to come through in the 1 1/8-mile Haskell, Monmouth’s signature race and the first big summer event for 3-year-olds after the Triple Crown.
Baby Vino, who came into the race off a 10 ¾-length romp in the Pegasus Stakes at Monmouth, is trained by Monmouth-based Lindsay Schultz, who became the first female trainer to win the Haskell in the 59 runnings. It is also the first Grade 1 win of her career. Same for jockey Jorge Vargas.
“Baby Vino. He’s an amazing horse. The horses duked it out to the finish," Schultz said. “I’m so happy to do it here. Jorge Vargas rode a helluva race.
“This horse can make a run from anywhere. We thought the way it set up there would be a lot of speed, and he’d sit behind it. But there wasn't as much speed as we thought, and Jorge made that call early in the race.”
Baby Vino broke from post 3 in the field of seven. He raced off the pace set by Napoleon Solo, ridden by Paco Lopez, moved up along the inside at the half-mile marker, made a move to the rail to challenge the leader, and the two dueled through the slop in the stretch. There was a bit of bumping going on, but it was Baby Vino edge in front in the final strides for the victory in front of 35,608.
There was a stewards’ inquiry about the slight bumping, but a few minutes later the race was declared official.
Winning time was 1:50.18 over sloppy, sealed track.
Further Ado was sent off as the even-money favorite, ran second for the first half of the under Irad Ortiz, Jr., but was unable to produce a serious challenge.
As for moving forward, Schultz was asked about the Travers Stakes (G1) at Saratoga on Aug. 29 and the BC Classic.
“Both of those races are far away but we're thrilled for the opportunity,’’ she said. “He’s a nice horse, but this was his biggest effort today. It’s a really big deal to do it in the mud, a surface he’s never been on. We’re over the moon.”
Vargas was pretty pumped, too.
“This is the highlight of my career, for sure. I just hope now my career keeps going up,’’ he said. “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.”
Chad Summers, who trains Napoleon Solo, went over a congratulated Schultz after the race. He was disappointed but added: “You want to win races like this. Obviously, 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 (who rode Baby Vino in the Pegasus) has been telling me about this horse for a long time now, about how good the horse is.”
Richard Rosenblatt is an award-winning journalist and former Associated Press Horse Racing Editor. Currently, he serves as the news editor at US Racing, overseeing exclusive content from contributors worldwide.
