Pegasus Stakes: Baby Vino runs off to an open-length victory
Oceanport, N.J.
Baby Vino ran away from the five-horse field in the $125,000, listed Pegasus Stakes at Monmouth Park by 10 3/4-lengths. In doing so, the Lindsay Schultz runner earned a free entry into the $1 million, Grade 1 Haskell Stakes on July 18.
Baby Vino and Pegasus second-place finisher Schoolyardsuperman, who also earned a Haskell entry, join the five other 3-year-olds who are currently listed as probable runners for Monmouth Park’s signature race by Racing Secretary John Heims.
Crude Velocity was second in the Woody Stephens (G1) at Saratoga for Bob Baffert. Further Ado won the Blue Grass (G1) on his way to an 11th-place finish in the Kentucky Derby and was first in the recent Matt Winn (G3). Hedge Ratio was the winner of the Long Branch Stakes at Monmouth for Chad Brown. Napoleon Solo added a victory in the Preakness to his Champagne (G1) score last year. The Puma was prominent on the Derby trail with a win in the Tampa Bay Derby (G3) and a second in the Florida Derby (G1).
Baby Vino has been training at Monmouth Park since spending the winter at Oaklawn Park. There he raced five times in maiden special weights and got his first victory in his last start on May 6 when racing two turns after hitting the board three times. Monmouth’s leading rider Paco Lopez got on board for the first time on a day when he already had won with his first three mounts.
“Paco rode him like he was on the best horse, and it worked out very well,” Schultz said. “He showed us another gear today. He’s maturing with each start. He had a lot of trouble in some of his previous starts, but this was a nice trip.”
Baby Vino was confidently ridden by Lopez as they sat in third place in the early going of the 1 1/16-mile stakes race after breaking from post position 6. Lopez moved him into a stalking position behind Schoolyearsuperman and National Carter as he prepared to make a three-wide move heading into the second turn. Turning for home, Lopez asked Baby Vino for his best and he responded with a visually impressive move.
“When I saw this horse race in Oaklawn, I told Lindsay I thought this was a good horse and she should keep in mind that this horse is better going longer,” Lopez said. “I worked this horse last week so I knew he was ready. I was in perfect position off a couple of speed horses. My horse broke well and put me in perfect position. When I asked this horse he gave me a big kick. I knew he would be ready for this. Lindsay does a nice job with her horses. I think he can compete with good horses at long distances. He has a lot of talent.”
Baby Vino was sent off as the 5-2 third betting choice and paid $7.80 to win. The 4-5 favorite Schoolyardsuperman was able to hold on for a distant second-place finish and completed a $2 exacta of $14. National Charter, who shipped up from Kentucky for trainer Rusty Arnold, was third at 5-2 odds and the $2 trifecta paid $34.
“We’ve got a ways to go before the Haskell Stakes but he ran pretty well today, so we will certainly consider it,” Schultz said in consideration for Baby Vino’s next race. “That’s the logical next spot if the horse is doing well. We’ll see how he comes out of this.”