With his first mount in the United States in 2013, Jorge A. Vargas Jr. was a winner. Twelve years later, and now just four wins shy of 1,000 for his career, he can appreciate the significance of the milestone he is approaching.

“When I won with my first mount I was like `this is easy.’  Nope,” said Vargas. “After I that win I had to wait another three weeks for another winner.

“So I know what an accomplishment this (1,000 wins) is. To finally get there will be really special.”

Vargas, who hails from Puerto Rico, will look to add to his win total this weekend at Monmouth Park, with seven mounts between Friday and Sunday, as well as being listed on two also-eligible horses and one main track only entrant.

“I thought it was going to happen in 10 years,” he said. “But you get hurt, and I have been hurt three times, so it hasn’t been as smooth as I had hoped.

“To be honest I want to get it over with. You feel like you’re getting there, getting there, and all of a sudden things slow down.”

When Vargas does reach 1,000 he will join four classmates from his time at Escuela Vocacional Hipica jockey school at El Camarero Racetrack in Puerto Rico.

Classmates Victor Carrasco, Manny Franco, Jevian Toledo and Edgard Zayas have already hit the 1,000-win career mark.

“We were all friendly and helping each other out back then,” said Vargas. “But we also competed hard against each other. There was always good competition among us. We pushed each other.

“It will be special to get to 1,000 wins like those guys have. We all had this dream. So for everyone to achieve it is pretty remarkable.”

Vargas, currently seventh in the Monmouth Park jockey standings with seven wins from 27 starts, is 18-for-93 overall this year. He won the Laurel riding title in 2018 and has ridden multiple graded stakes winners.

“I’m probably most proud of the consistency, even with the injuries I’ve had. Everywhere I have been I have won races. To me, that says a lot, showing that you can compete anywhere.

“So you’re doing something right.”

With the expanded live schedule at Monmouth Park starting this weekend, first race post time on Fridays will be 2 p.m. It will remain at 12:50 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.

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