Fastest Maidens: Third time's the charm for speedy Baffert colt

The past seven days have delivered an exceptional collection of maiden winners, with 31 horses posting an HRN speed figure of 100 or higher. These first-time victors represent the brightest prospects in racing, showcasing the talent pipeline that could produce tomorrow's champions.

Elite trainers leading the maiden ranks

Bob Baffert once again demonstrates his mastery with first-time starters, producing two winners topped by Sierra Silver's exceptional 126 speed figure at Santa Anita Park. The Hall of Fame trainer also sent out Desert Gate (114), showing his consistent ability to have horses ready for peak performance in their maiden races. Brad Cox contributed two impressive winners with Sinister Smile earning a 124 at Churchill Downs and True Connection posting 107 at Belmont at AQU, both displaying the trainer's knack for getting horses fit and ready. Michael Stidham also produced multiple winners including Energize (112) and Divino (107), while single-horse standouts include Edward Fernandez's Friendly Charlie (119) and Josie Carroll's Blanco (117) at Woodbine.

Sire power

The stallion influence on this week's fastest maiden winners reveals the continued dominance of proven bloodlines. Game Winner leads the way as sire of speed figure leader Sierra Silver (126), while his other representative Hope With Pope earned 84. Uncle Mo continues his sire excellence with three winners including Lambo (114), Tall Story (99), and Somekinda Special (87), showcasing remarkable consistency. Practical Joke's Sinister Smile posted the second-highest figure at 124, while Caravaggio sired both Plensa (111) and Nonna's Love (84). Other notable sire performances include Instagrand with Friendly Charlie (119) and Farm House (91), and Curlin represented by Blanco (117) and Himika (96). The diversity of successful sires from young stallions like Game Winner to established ones like Curlin demonstrates the depth of quality bloodlines producing winners.

Sierra Silver, 126 HRN speed fig

Three-year-old colt Sierra Silver earned the week's top speed figure of 126 with his impressive victory at Santa Anita Park on June 14th. By Game Winner out of the Grade 3-winning mare Promise Me Silver, this Bob Baffert-trained colt overcame early adversity when he stumbled at the start but still managed to win going away by 4 1/4 lengths in a seven-furlong maiden special weight on dirt. Juan Hernandez guided the even-money favorite to victory in the eight-horse field, with the colt's running comment noting he "chased between, bid outside, going away." Golden Bear Racing owns this prospect bred by Chester and Mary Broman. Sierra Silver finished third to previous Fastest Firster, Goal Oriented, in April and Southern Gentleman in May.

Sinister Smile, 124

Three-year-old colt Sinister Smile posted a 124 HRN speed figure while dominating a maiden claimer at Churchill Downs on June 13th by six lengths. By Practical Joke out of Making Mark Money, he carries the bloodlines of his half-brother Mo Stash, a five-year-old Grade 3 winner who has earned $647,000. Sent off as the overwhelming 1-5 favorite for Brad Cox with Luis Saez aboard for owner George Messina, the colt delivered with authority over one mile on dirt. His running style showed tactical speed as he was "led in hand 1/4, kicked away, ridden out," suggesting his natural ability has finally come through in his eighth career start and after several heartbreaking near-misses.

Blanco, 117

Three-year-old gelding Blanco posted a 117 HRN speed figure in an impressive debut at Woodbine on June 15th, winning by 5 3/4 lengths at 9-5 odds in a seven-furlong maiden special weight on the synthetic surface. By Curlin out of the Grade 3-winning mare Dreamologist, this Josie Carroll-trained gelding carries quality breeding from both sides of his pedigree. Pietro Moran guided the LNJ Foxwoods homebred to victory in the six-horse field, with his running style showing early leadership qualities as he "soon led, drew off when asked, kept to task." The margin of victory and speed figure suggest this gelding could develop into a useful stakes horse.

Lambo, 114

Four-year-old colt Lambo justified his $950,000 purchase price at the OBS March sale with a 114 HRN speed figure victory at Churchill Downs on June 12th. By Uncle Mo out of Sunshiny Day, this David Jacobson-trained colt finally broke through after showing promise, winning by 3 3/4 lengths at 7-2 odds under Jose Ortiz in a 10-horse maiden special weight race over six furlongs on dirt. Lawrence Roman's significant investment paid dividends as the colt overcame a bump at the start before he "held sway well," showing the kind of determination that expensive yearlings are expected to display. The combination of proven sire, strong figure and expensive price tag suggests Lambo could progress.

Desert Gate, 114

Two-year-old colt Desert Gate earned a 114 HRN speed figure in his debut at Santa Anita Park on June 13th, winning by 2 1/4 lengths as the 2-5 favorite in a five-furlong maiden special weight on dirt. By Omaha Beach out of the Grade 2-placed mare Theogony, this Bob Baffert-trained colt carries the bloodlines to potentially develop into a serious juvenile prospect. Juan Hernandez rode for the partnership of Michael Pegram, Karl Watson and Paul Weitman, with the colt showing early speed as he "pressed outside, dueled, proved best" in the four-horse field. The combination of Baffert's training, quality breeding, and early speed suggests Desert Gate could be a horse to follow in two-year-old stakes races.

Natural Rights, 103

Three-year-old colt Natural Rights posted a 103 HRN speed figure while breaking his maiden at Horseshoe Indiana on June 14th in a one-mile maiden special weight on turf. By Constitution out of Thyme For Roses, this Steve Asmussen-trained colt carries impressive family credentials as a half-brother to Zeitlos, a five-year-old Grade 2 winner who has earned $1.12 million. Natural Rights won by 2 3/4 lengths at 5-2 odds in what appears to have been a competitive field, showing the kind of class that runs in his family. The combination of Asmussen's proven ability with young horses, the colt's impressive family connections and his solid debut figure suggest Natural Rights could develop into a useful grass horse who may follow his successful half-brother into stakes company.