Fastest Firsters: Further Ado romps by 20 lengths

Last week delivered an impressive group of maiden winners, with 35 horses posting Horse Racing Nation speed figures of 99 or higher while breaking their maidens at various tracks. The week's standout performance came from Coffee Talk, who earned a 127 HRN speed figure at Keeneland, leading a group that showcased established trainers and emerging talent.

Bob Baffert continued his mastery with first-time starters, producing debut winner Jude's exceptional 124 HRN figure at Santa Anita. Brad Cox contributed the impressive 2-year-old Further Ado, who posted a 119 in his third career start at Keeneland and won by a stunning 20 lengths. Other notable trainers include Cherie DeVaux with two winners topped by Atropa's 110, abd Kenny McPeek, Mike Maker and Brittany Russell also produced multiple winners during the period.

Sire influence

Medaglia d'Oro led the way as sire of speed figure leader Coffee Talk (127) and also produced Dom Traces (100). Uncle Mo's Jude posted the second-highest figure at 124, and Gun Runner had an impressive week with three winners, Further Ado (119), Super Corredora (105) and Rocket Rania (94).

Into Mischief continued his excellence with Atropa (110) and Rocky Top Mischief (107). Other notable performances include Complexity's Cut to the Chase (115), Liam's Map represented by Caddiemaster (113), and Curlin with Trulli Warrior (112).

Coffee Talk, 127 HRN speed figure

Coffee Talk earned the week's top speed figure of 127 with his dominant victory at Keeneland on Thursday. By Medaglia d'Oro out of Desert Legacy, this David Jacobson-trained 3-year-old gelding finally broke through in his sixth career start, winning a maiden claimer over 6 1/2 furlongs on dirt by a commanding 10 3/4 lengths. Jose L. Ortiz guided the 5-2 choice to victory in the seven-horse field, with the gelding showing tactical speed as he "stalked 4 path, bid 3 wide... took over upper, kicked away 1/8." The combination of impressive speed figure and margin of victory suggests Coffee Talk has found his niche and could develop into a useful allowance horse.

Jude, 124

Jude posted a 124 HRN speed figure when winning impressively in his debut at Santa Anita on Friday. By Uncle Mo out of Helena Bay, this Bob Baffert-trained 3-year-old colt carries exceptional family credentials as a half-brother to Collected, a Grade 1 winner who earned $2.98 million. Juan Hernandez rode the 3-1 shot to a 2 1/2-length victory in the seven-horse maiden special weight over six furlongs on dirt. Zedan Racing Stables paid $2 million for the colt as a yearling. Despite breaking inward, Jude showed natural ability as he "gained inside, inhaled foe," demonstrating the kind of talent that expensive breeding is expected to produce.

Further Ado, 119

Further Ado delivered a sensational performance with a 119 HRN speed figure at Keeneland on Friday, winning by 20 lengths in his third career start. By Gun Runner out of Sky Dreamer, a Grade 3-placed mare, this Brad Cox-trained 2-year-old colt carries quality breeding and is a half-brother to Kimbear, a Grade 2 winner. Irad Ortiz Jr. guided the 2-1 favorite to victory for Spendthrift Farm in the 12-horse maiden special weight over 1 1/16 miles on dirt, with the colt showing maturity as he was "prompted 1st, led 5/16, opened up, good energy, ridden out."

Cool Million, 118

Cool Million earned a 118 HRN speed figure when finally breaking through at Parx Racing on Oct. 6. By Uptowncharlybrown out of Its My Town, this Guadalupe Preciado-trained 3-year-old gelding persevered through eight starts before capturing his maiden in his ninth career race. The Uptowncharlybrown Stud homebred won by 3 1/2 lengths as the 3-5 favorite under Mychel Sanchez in the nine-horse maiden special weight over 6 1/2 furlongs on dirt, showing confidence as he "broke alertly and controlled pace, remained clear under drive."

Cut to the Chase, 115

Cut to the Chase posted a 115 HRN speed figure in her second career start at Keeneland on Sunday. By Complexity out of Listen to Libby, this Wesley Ward-trained 3-year-old filly carries impressive family credentials as a half-sister to Chanteline, a Grade 3 winner who has earned $595,000. Victor Espinoza guided the 3-1 choice to a 4 3/4-length victory for Thomas Bachman in the eight-horse maiden special weight over six furlongs on dirt, with the filly showing early speed as she "set pace ... drew off, handily." The combination of quality breeding, connections and progression from her debut suggests Cut to the Chase could develop into a stakes prospect.

Caddiemaster, 113

Caddiemaster earned a 113 HRN speed figure when breaking his maiden in his seventh career start at Laurel Park on Sunday. By Liam's Map out of Democrat Taxes, this Horacio De Paz-trained 3-year-old gelding is a half-brother to Grade 2 winner Sue's Fortune. J.G. Torrealba rode the 5-2 choice to a 6 1/4-length victory for Club Sixty Five Racing and Liberty House Racing in the eight-horse maiden claimer over one mile on dirt, showing determination as he went "clear into lane, eager widen, driving."

Holiday Express, 113

Holiday Express posted a 113 HRN speed figure in his fourth career start at Delaware Park on Wednesday. By Name Changer out of Dumtadumtadum, this Benjamin Perkins Jr.-trained 3-year-old gelding is a homebred for Jersey Shore Racing Stable. Samuel Marin guided the 6-5 favorite to a 1 1/4-length victory in the six-horse maiden special weight over 5 1/2 furlongs on dirt, with the gelding showing steady improvement as he "tracked 4-wide... kept on."

With several of these winners carrying stakes-quality breeding and connections, racing fans should keep an eye on these names as they progress into allowance and stakes company.