Laurel Park
Vargas still on top, but Wes Hamilton is coming on
Jim McCue/Maryland Jockey Club Jorge Vargas Jr. guides Ms Locust Point to victory in the What a Summer Stakes at Laurel. The leading rider at Laurel despite a recent slump, Vargas will be aboard Ms Locust Point in the Grade 1 Madison on Saturday at Keeneland.
Jorge Vargas Jr. begins the Laurel Park race week with a four-win lead in the jockey standings, but his advantage has dwindled the last three weeks as he has gone cold and seven-pound apprentice Wes Hamilton has been on a tear.
Coming into the March 16 card at Laurel, Vargas had 35 wins at the meet and led Hamilton by 14. Since then, Vargas has gone 1 for 45 with 15 seconds, while Hamilton has led all Laurel riders with 11 wins from 52 rides.
Hamilton’s father, Steve, has the second-most wins in the jockey colony since March 16. He has ridden nine winners from 31 mounts, a win average of 29 percent.
Vargas will be at Keeneland on Saturday to ride Ms Locust Point in the Grade 1 Madison for trainer John Servis.
