In a finish that upended the divisional hierarchy and left bettors stunned, Baby Vino proved that his recent blowout victory was no fluke, out-dueling Grade I Preakness Stakes winner Napoleon Solo to capture the $1 million GI NYRABets Haskell Stakes on Saturday at Monmouth Park. Sent off at longshot odds of 28-1, the son of Vino Rosso displayed immense grit on a rain-affected track, surviving a stewards’ inquiry to secure a career-defining victory for trainer Lindsay Schultz and a guaranteed spot in the GI Breeders’ Cup Classic this fall at Keeneland.
The victory marks a meteoric rise for the Kentucky-bred colt, who just two starts ago was still a maiden. After breaking through in his fifth career attempt, Baby Vino signaled his potential with a dominant 10 1/4-length score in the Pegasus Stakes on June 13. Despite that visual masterpiece, the wagering public remained skeptical, focusing instead on the established class of Preakness hero Napoleon Solo and the highly-regarded "TDN Rising Star" Further Ado. By the time the gates opened at 6:12 pm, Baby Vino had drifted to the bottom of the tote board, while Further Ado held firm as the favorite.
A Tactically Perfect Performance in the Slop
The conditions at Monmouth Park were challenging, with intermittent rain throughout the afternoon leaving the main track "sloppy" and favorining runners who could find traction away from the deeper interior paths. As the field of three-year-olds broke from the gate, the pace was honest but not frantic. Napoleon Solo, a son of Liam’s Map, was hustled early to secure a forward position. Jockeying for the lead, Napoleon Solo established a comfortable rhythm well off the rail, seeking the firmer footing typically found in the middle of the track during wet conditions.
While the favorites engaged in a tactical battle for early supremacy, Baby Vino was settled toward the rear of the pack by his rider. The colt appeared comfortable handling the kickback, a crucial trait in a rain-softened surface. As the field moved onto the backstretch, Further Ado loomed as a major threat, tracking the leader from second while under a confident hold.
The complexion of the race shifted dramatically at the half-mile pole. While the leaders continued their wide path around the far turn, Baby Vino’s pilot made a daring tactical decision. Rather than swinging wide to follow the momentum of the favorites, Baby Vino was guided toward the rail. Skimming the fence and cutting the corner with precision, the 28-1 shot accelerated rapidly, catching the leaders off guard.
By the time the field straightened into the stretch, it had become a two-horse race. Napoleon Solo, showing the class that won him the second leg of the Triple Crown, refused to yield, digging in gamely under left-handed urging. Baby Vino, however, had the momentum. The two colts engaged in a "ding-dong" battle for the final furlong, racing shoulder-to-shoulder as the grandstand erupted. In the final strides, Baby Vino found an extra gear, thrusting his nose in front to cross the wire first in a heart-pounding conclusion to the Jersey Shore’s centerpiece event.
Stewards’ Inquiry and Official Results
The drama did not end at the finish line. Almost immediately after the horses crossed the wire, the "Inquiry" sign flashed on the tote board. The stewards were tasked with reviewing the stretch run, specifically looking at the tight quarters between Baby Vino and Napoleon Solo as they battled for the lead. There appeared to be minor bumping as both horses drifted slightly under duress in the testing conditions.
After several minutes of deliberation and a review of multiple camera angles, the stewards determined that the contact was incidental and did not cost Napoleon Solo a better placing. The result was declared official, much to the relief of the Cosmo Racing and Delta Squad Racing connections.
With the victory, Baby Vino improved his lifetime record to three wins from seven starts, with two second-place finishes and one third. His earnings skyrocketed with the winner’s share of the $1,000,000 purse, and perhaps more importantly, he earned an automatic, all-expenses-paid berth into the $7 million GI Breeders’ Cup Classic, scheduled for October 31 at Keeneland.
Pedigree and Background: The Vino Rosso Influence
Baby Vino is a member of the second crop of Vino Rosso, the 2019 Eclipse Award winner for Champion Older Dirt Male and winner of the Breeders’ Cup Classic. The stamina and affinity for a route of ground seen in Vino Rosso appear to have been passed down to his son. Produced from the Discreetly Mine mare Discreetly Grand, Baby Vino was bred in Kentucky by Lisa Parks.
The victory is a significant milestone for trainer Lindsay Schultz. Having worked under some of the industry’s top conditioners before launching her own stable, Schultz has quickly earned a reputation for patience and astute placement. Bringing a horse from a maiden win to a Grade I victory in the span of three starts is a feat rarely seen in the modern era of Triple Crown-level racing.
"He’s just a horse that keeps getting better," Schultz noted in the post-race celebrations. "We saw something special in the Pegasus, but to come here and beat a Preakness winner on this stage is a testament to the horse’s heart. He didn’t care about the odds or the mud; he just wanted to win."
Disappointment for the Favorites
While the day belonged to Baby Vino, the race served as a setback for the divisional leaders. Napoleon Solo lost nothing in defeat, proving his Preakness win was no fluke by fighting all the way to the wire. However, the loss prevents him from further solidifying his claim to the Three-Year-Old Male Championship, which remains wide open heading into the late summer.
The performance of Further Ado was perhaps the most puzzling aspect of the race. The Gun Runner colt, who had been touted as the "next big thing" following a series of impressive morning workouts and a dominant allowance score, failed to fire when the real running began. He struggled to maintain his position as the field turned for home and eventually faded to finish out of the trifecta. Whether the "sloppy" track or the intensity of the Grade I competition was to blame will be a subject of much debate among analysts in the coming weeks.
Historical Context and the Road to the Breeders’ Cup
The Haskell Stakes has long been a "graveyard of champions," frequently producing upsets that reshape the divisional standings. By joining the list of Haskell winners, Baby Vino follows in the hoofprints of legends like American Pharoah, Rachel Alexandra, and Holy Bull. His 28-1 upset is one of the largest in the history of the race, drawing comparisons to other longshot winners who used the Monmouth Park feature as a springboard to national prominence.
The "Win and You’re In" aspect of the Haskell adds a layer of strategic importance to the victory. By securing his spot in the Breeders’ Cup Classic in mid-July, the connections of Baby Vino can now map out a deliberate path to Keeneland. Potential next starts could include the GI Travers Stakes at Saratoga, often referred to as the "Midsummer Derby," or the GI Pennsylvania Derby at Parx Racing.
Implications for the Three-Year-Old Division
As the dust settles on the 2026 Haskell, the three-year-old male division is arguably more unsettled than it was at the start of the year. With different winners for the Kentucky Derby, Preakness, and Belmont Stakes—and now a 28-1 upset in the Haskell—no single horse has seized control of the category.
Baby Vino’s emergence adds a new and dangerous variable to the championship equation. If he can replicate his Monmouth Park performance on a fast track at Saratoga or Keeneland, he will be a formidable contender for year-end honors. For now, the "Baby" has grown up, proving that in the world of Thoroughbred racing, pedigree and persistence often outweigh the morning line.
The racing world now turns its eyes toward Saratoga, where many of today’s protagonists are expected to reconvene. But for today, the spotlight remains firmly on the Jersey Shore and the gritty colt who turned the Haskell into his personal coming-out party.
