Fastest maidens: Fact flies in standout effort at Churchill

A parade of maidens got their first wins over the holiday weekend, including a few noteworthy Prospect Watch horses from earlier reports. Check out the fastest maiden winners below.

Top trainers

Last week showcased exceptional talent from established and emerging trainers alike, with several conditioners making their mark with impressive maiden winners. Leading the pack is William Walden, whose 3-year-old gelding Fact posted the week's HRN highest speed figure, 120, at Churchill Downs. Barbara Minshall followed closely with Flaunt's brilliant 119 figure at Woodbine, and Robert Van Overschot's Border Song dominated at Canterbury Park with a 115 figure. The versatile Graham Motion continues to show his prowess with two impressive winners, Academy, 114 and Roja, 106. Chad Brown also fielded two promising debuts, with Growth Trajectory earning a 112 on turf at Monmouth Park and Timing Difference posting a 108 at Belmont at Aqueduct. Mark Casse rounded out the multi-winner trainers with Garden of War, 112, and Midsummer Mo, 107, both breaking their maidens at Woodbine.

Sire power

The stallion ranks were well-represented in this crop of fast first-time winners, with familiar names proving their early speed prowess. Tapiture led the way with two impressive winners, as his progeny Border Song and Master Controller averaged an outstanding 114.5 speed figure between them. The stallion's ability to sire quick, precocious types continued to shine through in these debut performances. At the top of the individual sire performances, Instagrand gets credit for the week's fastest maiden winner with Fact's explosive 120 figure, and Bolt d'Oro's filly Flaunt nearly matched that effort with her 119. Other notable sire representation includes Flameaway and Oscar Performance, each siring 114-figure winners. The presence of European bloodlines is notable, with Lope de Vega siring Growth Trajectory, proving that international genetics continue to make their mark on American racing surfaces.

The elite performers

Fact, 120 HRN speed figure

Fact emerged as the week's standout performer with his commanding 120 HRN speed figure at Churchill Downs in his second lifetime start. This 3-year-old gelding by Instagrand showed professional composure in his mile debut on dirt, dueling with a rival inside before drawing off in the stretch under Luis Saez's confident handling. Trained by William Walden for Grandview Equine, OXO Equine, and LNJ Foxwoods, Fact was sent off as the heavy 3-5 favorite and justified every bit of that confidence with his 2 1/2-length victory over 11 rivals. His pedigree offers additional intrigue through his dam Bazinga Baby, whose family already has produced graded-stakes winner Estilo Talentoso, suggesting Fact may have inherited more than just speed.

Flaunt, 119

Flaunt proved that synthetic surfaces can't contain exceptional talent, posting a brilliant 119 HRN speed figure at Woodbine under Barbara Minshall's tutelage. This daughter of Bolt d'Oro showed natural early speed, taking the lead from the gate and never looking back over 6 1/2 furlongs on the Tapeta surface. Jockey Rafael Manuel Hernandez allowed the filly to dictate terms on the front end before asking for more in the stretch, and Flaunt responded with authority to win by 1 1/2 lengths at 9-5 odds. The victory suggested this filly has both natural speed and the ability to sustain her effort, qualities that could translate to success at longer distances as she matures.

Border Song, 115

Border Song delivered the most visually impressive performance of the week, demolishing a field of five rivals by 7 1/4 lengths while posting a 115 HRN speed figure at Century Mile. This son of Tapiture, trained by Robert Van Overschot, showed gate-to-wire speed over 5 1/2 furlongs on dirt, disputing the early pace before opening up dramatically in the stretch. Despite being sent off at 3-1 odds in the small field, Border Song's dominant performance under Brian Boodramsingh suggested he may have been underestimated by the betting public. His sire Tapiture has become known for producing quick, sharp types, and Border Song fits that mold perfectly with his explosive turn of foot.

Fantastic Flame, 114

Fantastic Flame lived up to her fiery name with a powerful 114 HRN figure performance at Gulfstream Park, breaking on top and never allowing her seven rivals to get close. Trained by Tareq Moubarak, this daughter of Flameaway showed professional speed from the gate in her third career start, setting the pace while staying off the rail before shrugging off any challenge in the stretch. Emisael Jaramillo barely had to ask for the filly's best effort as Fantastic Flame rolled home 4 1/4 lengths clear as the overwhelming 1-5 favorite. Her ability to rate while on the lead suggested tactical speed that could prove valuable as she faces stronger competition.

Academy, 114

Academy announced himself as a potential route prospect with his impressive 114 HRN figure victory over a mile and 70 yards at Delaware Park. Trained by Graham Motion, this son of Oscar Performance showed tactical speed by pressing the pace in second position before making his move to win by 4 1/2 lengths under Samuel Marin. The colt's ability to handle the extended distance in his fourth lifetime start while posting such a strong figure suggested he may develop into a genuine two-turn threat. His breeding supports this theory, as Oscar Performance was a high-class turf router whose progeny often show similar stamina.

Master Controller, 114

Master Controller provided the week's biggest upset story, overcoming 13-1 odds to post a 114 HRN speed figure in a maiden claiming race at Churchill Downs. Despite a bump at the start, this son of Tapiture found his stride under Brittany Vanden Berg's patient training, clearing to the outside before digging in gamely to win by a length. The fact that he posted such a strong figure in his fourth career start suggests he is maturing. His breeding through Tapiture and the dam Key Is to Win pointed to continued improvement as he gains experience.

Growth Trajectory, 112

Growth Trajectory showcased her European breeding with a stylish 112 HRN figure victory over 1 1/16 miles on turf at Monmouth Park. Despite bumping at the start, this daughter of Lope de Vega showed the patient tactical speed that often characterizes European-bred runners, settling off the pace before making a sustained three-wide move that proved decisive. Trained by Chad Brown, who excels with turf runners and European imports, Growth Trajectory's 3 1/5-length victory at 7-2 odds suggested she may develop into a serious turf router as she matures. Her dam Wekeela was a Group 3 winner, providing additional confidence in her ability to handle higher-class competition.

Other noteworthy firsters

Buzz Rocket may have only posted an 88 HRN speed fig, but his maiden claiming victory going 1 1/16 miles on turf at Gulfstream Park was a long time coming. This 3-year-old son of Curlin, trained by Jose Francisco D'Angelo, settled off the pace inside before being steered to the outside for his stretch run, getting up by three-quarters of a length in the final strides. This half-brother to Hall of Famer California Chrome got the win in his eighth career start.

Enzo, a 4-year-old half-brother to Grade 1 winner Caravel, earned an 87 HRN speed figure that doesn't fully tell the story of his gutsy victory at Laurel Park. Despite being bumped and forced in at the start, this son of Great Notion never gave up, stalking the pace before making a four-wide move that carried him to a two-length victory under Elizabeth M. Merryman's conditioning. It was his breakthrough victory after 10 other tries.

Note: The speed figures referenced are Horse Racing Nation figures, where higher numbers indicate faster performances. A 100 is above average. A maiden special weight race is a slightly higher class level than a maiden claiming race.