Baby Vino delivers Haskell shocker

Jul 18, 2026 James Scully

Baby Vino (inside) wins the Haskell Stakes at Monmouth Park. (Photo by EQUI-PHOTO)

The top five betting choices in Saturday’s $1 Haskell (G1) either competed in or were on the Triple Crown trail this spring, but Baby Vino did not break his maiden until early May. Overlooked at 28-1, the up-and-coming colt recorded a stunning upset in the centerpiece event at Monmouth Park, rallying to overtake pacesetter Napoleon Solo and score by a half-length.

Trained by Lindsay Schultz, Baby Vino picked up the services of Jorge Vargas Jr. and extended his win streak to three while making his first graded stakes appearance. He also had to survive a steward’s inquiry into inconsequential contact between the top two finishers in the stretch drive.

The bay son of Vino Rosso is owned by Cosmo Stables and Delta Squad Racing, and Baby Vino completed 1 1/8 miles in 1:50.18 over a sloppy track.

Blue Grass (G1) romper Further Ado, who rebounded from a 10th as the favorite in the Kentucky Derby (G1) when posting a two-length decision in the June 7 Matt Winn (G3) at Churchill Downs, came up empty on the far turn after pressing Preakness (G1) winner Napoleon Solo in second during the opening stages, weakening to fifth as the 11-10 Haskell favorite.

Baby Vino, who needed five starts before breaking his maiden at Oaklawn Park, improved to 2-for-2 at Monmouth, recording a 10 3/4-length victory in the Pegasus S. on June 13. But he defeated four undistinguished rivals that afternoon and faced a significant class check against Haskell foes. It also marked his first start on a wet track.

Napoleon Solo, the 7-2 third choice, sprinted clear after the break and was kept well off the rail most of the way. Baby Vino saved ground while rating in fifth and launched his move on the far turn, reaching even terms with Napoleon Solo approaching the top of the stretch. That rival appeared to drift in and initiate the initial contact, and Baby Vino and Napoleon Solo exchanged a couple more light bumps before the wire, but it made no difference in the outcome.

Baby Vino got the upper hand in deep stretch and was edging away under the wire. Napoleon Solo held second by 3 1/2 lengths over Preakness runner-up Iron Honor. It was another neck to Tampa Bay Derby (G3) winner and Florida Derby (G1) runner-up The Puma, who was scratched the morning of the Kentucky Derby and left the starting gate as the 3-1 second choice. The Puma missed the break and never made much impact while closing from the back of the Haskell field.

Star Sweeper wound up sixth and Ocelli trailed.

Baby Vino earned an expenses-paid berth to the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) at Keeneland this fall capturing the “Win & You’re In” Haskell.