The 59th running of the Grade 1 NYRA Bets Haskell Stakes attracted a stellar field to Monmouth Park on July 18.

There was a classic winner in the Haskell field of seven along with another Grade 1 winner and three other colts who were Grade 1 placed, but on a grey, rainy day filled with smog and lightning and two weather delays at the Jersey Shore, the eventual winner was none of them.

Instead, it was Baby Vino, a son of Vino Rosso, who flourished on a sloppy sealed track and outdueled Preakness Stakes winner Napoleon Solo in the stretch to register a 28-1 upset in the $1 million feature for 3-year-olds before a hardy crowd of 35,608 fans.

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"It means so much more because you can't say he beat an average field," said Baby Vino's trainer Lindsay Schultz, who, in a grand year for female trainers, became the first woman trainer ever to win the Haskell.

Baby Vino came into the Haskell off a win in Monmouth Park's local Haskell stepping stone, the $122,000 Pegasus Stakes on Haskell Preview Day June 13. Baby Vino won by 10 3/4 lengths that day, but more importantly he notched a dazzling speed figure that made him more competitive in the Haskell than his longshot odds indicated, be it on a dry or wet track.

"You never know until you get there, but after his last race, this seemed like the place to try him," said Schultz, who earned her first Grade 1 win since becoming a trainer in 2021 following stints as an assistant trainer for Tom Proctor, Nick Zito, John Shirreffs, and Shug McGaughey. "If we were able to take this step, we were going to take it."

For a next step, Schultz was uncertain. The Grade 1 Travers Stakes Aug. 29 at Saratoga Race Course is a possibility for the colt owned by Cosmo Stables and Delta Squad Racing, about which Schultz said, "I'm not saying no to it."

Further down the road, there could be a start in the Longines Breeders' Cup Classic Oct. 31 at Keeneland. The Haskell was a Breeders' Cup Challenge Series "Win and You're In" qualifying race for the Classic, meaning that Baby Vino has earned a free spot in the 1 1/4-mile $7 million fall championship race.

For now, the Schultz prefers to savor a sweet Grade 1 win.

"He's a nice horse, but this was his biggest effort to date and it's a really big deal. To do it in the mud, which he has never been on, we're over the moon. It's unbelievable," Schultz said.

Jorge Vargas Jr. and Baby Vimo were all smiles. (Bill Denver/EQUI-PHOTO)

The favorite in the Haskell was Grade 1 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes winner, Further Ado. He pressed the pace under jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. but did not threaten and faded to fifth.

To no one's surprise, the speedy Napoleon Solo grabbed the early lead under Paco Lopez. Making his first start since the May 16 Preakness and his initial outing since he was purchased by Espoir USA from former owner Gold Square, the son of Liam's Map led by a length after a comfortable opening half-mile in :48.29 and six furlongs in 1:12.01 over the wet surface.

On the final turn, the lone challenger was Baby Vino and jockey Jorge Vargas Jr., who joined Napoleon Solo on the inside. They battled furiously down the lane before Baby Vino ($58.00 to win) edged away to notch the biggest Haskell upset since Skip Trial beat Spend a Buck and paid $73.00 in the 1985 edition.

"It's not different for me to be a woman (winning this race) these days," Schultz said, pointing out how Cherie DeVaux became the first female trainer to win the Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve earlier in the year. "Hopefully I am the first of many to win it."

There was some bumping in the stretch, resulting in a steward's inquiry, but there was no change in the order of finish.

"I'm a little disappointed obviously. It seemed like he wasn't comfortable on the track but you have to play the game the way it is drawn up. Congrats to Baby Vino," said Chad Summers, trainer of Napoleon Solo.

Iron Honor, who was second in the Preakness, finished third, followed by The Puma, Further Ado, Star Sweeper, and the maiden, Ocelli.