Jockey Jorge Vargas Jr. has held a hot hand at Laurel Park this week and opened a three-win advantage in the jockey standings over apprentice Weston Hamilton. The Laurel Park winter meet concludes Sunday and Pimlico opens Thursday.

Hamilton held a one-win lead coming into the Thursday card at Laurel but has gone one for 21 this week. Vargas has won five races from 21 mounts.

Vargas and Hamilton were tied coming into the Saturday card but Vargas went 3-1-0  with his nine mounts and Hamilton went 0-3-2 with 11 mounts.

Vargas hasn't clinched the title but Hamilton will need a remarkable closing day to come from behind. Hamilton has six mounts on the card (races 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, and 9). Vargas has four rides (races 2, 6, 7, and 9).