Fastest maidens: Glatt, Baffert trainees sizzle in victory

This week's maiden standouts showcased the impact of established as well as emerging stallions. Into Mischief continues to assert his dominance as a leading sire with five winners averaging an impressive 106.2 HRN speed figure, headlined by Cornucopian's brilliant 128. His $250K stud fee is clearly justified by these results.

Vekoma made a statement with the week's highest-rated winner in Formula Rossa, 132) showing his potential as a rising star at a more modest $35,000 fee.

Other notable multiple winners came from City of Light, with three winners averaging 102.3, and Audible, who had three winners with a 99.3 average, both proving effective across different surfaces and distances.

Value sires Collected and Connect, both of whom stand for just $10,000, punched above their weight class with top performers scoring 114 and 125 respectively. And Maximum Security, at $5,000, produced the fourth-highest rated maiden with Tiz Secure, 119.

Notable trainers

When it comes to developing young talent, few trainers made a bigger impact this week than Mark Glatt, who sent out four maiden winners with an extraordinary average HRN speed figure of 118.3. His versatility was on display with high-level performers on dirt with Formula Rossa, 132, and Coastal Cowgirl, 125, and turf, with Mysterious Husband, 117.

Bob Baffert had only two winners, but their quality was undeniable, with Cornucopian getting a 128 and Tiz Secure 119. Both 3-year-old colts must be considered Kentucky Derby prospects.

Steve Asmussen also made his presence felt with three winners averaging 106.3, showing his skill developing young horses across different class levels. Other trainers with multiple high-performing graduates this week included Brittany Russell, who had two winners averaging 107.5, and Fernando Abreu, with two winners averaging 106.5.

Formula Rossa, West Coast wonder

Mark Glatt unveiled a potential superstar in Formula Rossa, a 3-year-old filly by Vekoma who demolished her competition at Santa Anita with a scorching 132 HRN speed figure, the highest of any maiden winner this week.

With Hall of Famer Mike Smith in the irons, she showed tactical speed and an impressive turn of foot, chasing the pace two wide before making a bold three-wide move into the stretch and drawing away to win by four lengths. Her pedigree suggests she could stretch out beyond this six-furlong debut, and given her dominant performance against a solid maiden special weight field, connections might be eyeing stakes competition sooner rather than later.

Cornucopian, Baffert's next big thing?

When Bob Baffert sends out a well-bred 3-year-old colt in February, the racing world takes notice. Cornucopian, a son of elite sire Into Mischief, whose $250,000 stud fee speaks volumes, justified the attention with a brilliant debut at Oaklawn.

Under star jockey Irad Ortiz Jr., this colt broke alertly, dueled for the lead while hugging the rail, then drew away impressively to win by 5 3/4 lengths in sharp time. His dam, Magical World, already produced Grade 1 winner Guarana, suggesting this colt has the bloodlines to match his considerable talent. With a 128 HRN speed figure right out of the gate, the Kentucky Derby trail beckons.

Coastal Cowgirl, value claim

Sometimes impressive performances come from unexpected sources. Coastal Cowgirl, a 4-year-old filly by Connect running for a tag in a maiden-claiming event at Santa Anita, delivered the single most dominant performance of the week, winning by a staggering 15 3/4 lengths. Despite hitting the gate at the break, the Mark Glatt trainee showed exceptional early speed, opened up around the turn and was in hand for the final sixteenth of a mile. Her 125 HRN speed figure in a $20,000 claimer suggests she was dramatically misplaced and likely will face much tougher competition in her next outing.

Tiz Secure, security blanket for Baffert barn

Another promising 3-year-old colt from the Baffert barn, Tiz Secure, gave his connections plenty to smile about with a professional debut victory at Santa Anita. The son of controversial champion Maximum Security stalked three deep, bid three wide around the turn, and powered away to win by 4 3/4 lengths.

With Juan Hernandez in the saddle, this homebred for owners Watson and Weitman showed the kind of tactical speed and finishing power that suggests he could develop into a serious player as the distances stretch out. His dam is Grade 1 winner Tough Tiz's Sis, giving him a pedigree that screams two turns.

To Monarch, synthetic specialist

Not all maiden winners emerge on dirt, and To Monarch showed his affinity for the Tapeta surface at Turfway Park with a professional victory for trainer Eddie Kenneally. The 3-year-old son of international sire Caravaggio broke sharply to secure the lead from an outside post then showed determination in holding off all challengers to win by 2 3/4 lengths.

Under jockey Rafael Hernandez, this colt displayed natural speed and the ability to carry it around one turn. Caravaggio offspring typically improve with age and often excel on turf as well, giving his connections multiple surface options moving forward.

Mysterious Husband, turf thriller

Mr. Keys, late bloomer

Sometimes patience pays off, and 4-year-old gelding Mr. Keys rewarded his connections' perseverance with a dominant maiden-breaking performance at Laurel Park. Despite a jostled start, the son of Collected rated off the pace before unleashing a powerful four-wide move at the half-mile pole. Under Sheldon Russell, he powered away to win by 9 1/2 lengths while being ridden out. Trainer Madison Meyers obviously has found the key to unlocking this gelding's potential, and his triple-digit HRN speed figure suggests he could quickly rise through the claiming ranks.

Clever Again, living up to his pedigree

When you're a son of Triple Crown winner American Pharoah out of a Grade 3-winning mare, expectations are high. Clever Again met those expectations with a professional route debut for trainer Steve Asmussen at Oaklawn. Breaking a touch outward but quickly recovering, this 3-year-old colt secured the early lead, relaxed through the middle stages and stayed clear in the stretch to win the 1 1/16-mile contest by 3 1/4 lengths. Under Jose Ortiz, he showed the kind of early speed and stamina that could make him a factor on the Triple Crown trail. His 114 debut HRN speed figure suggests we'll be hearing much more from this well-bred sophomore.

Low Key, dramatic closer

Not all impressive maiden winners dominate from gate to wire. Low Key, a 3-year-old daughter of Bolt d'Oro, overcame a slow start to deliver one of the week's most dramatic performances at Fair Grounds. Under Declan Cannon for trainer Tom Amoss, this filly trailed the field early, was seven wide on the upper turn and unleashed a powerful late rally to nail her rivals right on the wire, winning by the narrowest of margins. Her ability to overcome such adversity while posting a 113 HRN speed figure suggests she has the kind of raw talent that could make her dangerous as she stretches out in distance.

Adios Charlie isn't the most fashionable sire, but his son Ciao Chuck showed plenty of heart in his maiden-breaking turf score at Gulfstream Park. The 4-year-old gelding, trained by Fernando Abreu and ridden by Miguel Vasquez, dueled for the lead throughout the 1 1/16-mile contest and gamely held off all challengers to win by a quarter-length. His willingness to fight while posting a strong 113 HRN speed figure suggests he could develop into a solid turf allowance performer, particularly at middle distances where his tactical speed gives him an advantage.

Brewing, crafting a masterpiece

There's dominating a maiden race, and then there's what Brewing did at Sam Houston. The 4-year-old Tapiture gelding, another from the Steve Asmussen barn, made a steady advance before taking command at the three-sixteenths pole and winning as the ride pleased by 10 lengths. Under Stewart Elliott, this gelding showed the kind of effortless dominance that suggests he was competing well below his ability level. His 112 HRN speed figure confirms the visual impression, and he appears poised to quickly climb the class ladder.

Rampagius, grassy gladiator

Shop Lifting, stealing the show

Another Into Mischief offspring makes our list with Shop Lifting, a 4-year-old filly who demolished a small but select field at Aqueduct. Under Jose Lezcano for trainer Linda Rice, this filly hustled to the lead, shook clear along the rail on the turn, and drew off to win by 7 1/4 lengths. Her 110 HRN speed figure suggests she's been worth the wait for her connections, and with her pedigree, she could quickly make up for lost time as she climbs the class ladder.

Vigano, veteran breakthrough

HRN speed figures are an AI-generated system of figure making that controls for time, distance, course, surface conditions and carried weight. The reference speed figure is 100, which is calibrated to be the average winning speed figure across all racing levels. The average earned figure is 84. Figures above 110 should be considered fast and above 136 would be considered exceptional. Figures below 60 should be considered slow.