Aqueduct: Colloquial’s maiden win is worthy of a big number

By one measure, the fastest 3-year-old going just broke his maiden Friday at Aqueduct.

Colloquial, a Vekoma colt trained by George Weaver, won by seven lengths in a 6 1/2-furlong maiden race worth $80,000. His 1:16.89 winning time earned him a 106 Beyer Speed Figure, according to Daily Racing Form. That is the best number in the U.S. and Canada for any horse foaled in 2022.

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Racing over fast dirt on a 38-degree New York afternoon, 3-4 favorite Colloquial made his first start since he lost his debut by a nose going five furlongs June 15 over the same main track. With Manny Franco riding, he made up most of a five-length gap in the stretch that day.

According to DRF, Colloquial was given a break for the second half of last year after he failed a veterinarian’s examination. It came as he was about to be sold privately last summer by his current owners Harrell Ventures and Starlight Racing. Instead, they kept the colt they bought as a yearling for $240,000.

There were no immediately announced plans for Colloquial’s next race.