Haskell win gets Jorge Vargas Guild’s jock of the week
Earned first Grade 1 win
Press Release
July 22, 2026
Monmouth Park journeyman jockey Jorge A. Vargas, Jr. regularly works horses and rides in the afternoons for trainer Lindsay Schultz but was not expecting to have a mount in the Haskell (G1), the track’s premier race for three-year-olds. Just before entries were taken, however, Vargas got the call.
Making the most of the opportunity, Vargas earned his first career Grade 1 victory. The panel of racing experts voted him Jockey of the Week for July 13-July 19.
On Saturday, Vargas started the day on a high note with a win in the third race for trainer Michael Simone.
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Saddling her first entrant in a Grade 1 race, local trainer Lindsay Schultz gave a leg up to Vargas aboard Baby Vino in the Haskell (G1). Even though the 3-year-old colt was coming off a commanding 10-length win in the local Pegasus Stakes he went off at odds of 28-1 in the field of seven which included Preakness Stakes (G1) hero Napoleon Solo.
Breaking from post position three, Baby Vino raced just off the pace inside as Napoleon Solo with Paco Lopez aboard led the field on a track rated as sloppy. Baby Vino who seemed to relish the off-going, moved into contention at the half-mile pole and the race was on as the two hooked up and battled down the stretch. Baby Vino edged away to a half-length win in 1:50.18 for a mile and one-eighth.
“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,” said Vargas to Monmouth publicity. “To be able to win it is surreal. This is the highlight of my career, for sure. I showed when I am on the right horse, I can get the job done. Now I am hoping for more opportunities – especially with Baby Vino.”
The Haskell is a “Win and You’re In” for the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) on October 31 at Keeneland.
Vargas honored his commitment for the next race posting a win for trainer Rodolfo Sanchez-Salomon.
A native of Aguas Buenas, Puerto Rico, Vargas has been riding state-side since 2013. He is a graduate of the renowned jockey school Escuela Vocacional Hipica where his classmates included Victor Carrasco, Manny Franco, Jevian Toledo and Edgard Zayas. Vargas won his 1,000th career race on July 4, 2025 at Monmouth Park.
This week Vargas will be riding at Parx, Penn National, Delaware Park and Monmouth Park.
Other nominees for Jockey of the Week included Francisco Arrieta who won six races at Ellis Park on Saturday including the Jeff Hall Memorial Stakes, Jose Ortiz who won the Diana (G1), reigning Eclipse Award winner Flavien Prat with three graded stakes wins at Monmouth and John Velazquez with three stakes wins between Saratoga and Woodbine including the Coronation Cup (G3).
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