Fastest maidens: $3 million Gun Runner colt lights up Del Mar

The last week produced an impressive collection of maiden winners, with 30 horses breaking through for their first career victories. Leading the charge was Broski, who posted a spectacular 136 Horse Racing Nation speed figure at Del Mar.

Among the standout performers were Brant, Tommy Jo and Soaring Angel, three promising 2-year-olds who announced their arrival with impressive debut victories.

Trainers leading the maiden ranks

Bob Baffert dominated the week with two impressive winners, topped by Brant's 123 speed figure debut at Del Mar and Usha's commanding 124 performance at the same track. Todd Pletcher also made his mark with two promising juveniles, Tapit's Legacy earning a 111 figure at Saratoga and Tommy Jo posting a 109 in her debut at the same venue.

Kathleen Demasi contributed two winners with Patient Fi (113) and Marvelous Mo (111), and Phil D'Amato's Broski earned the week's top figure of 136. Other notable single-horse performances came from Catherine Day Phillips with Weller Green (122) and Gary Scherer with Van Ginkel (113).

Sire influence

Gun Runner leads the way as sire of Brant (123), and Tiz the Law contributed Usha (124). Tapit's excellence continues with his son Tapit's Legacy earning a 111 figure, and Into Mischief is represented by Tommy Jo (109). Good Magic sired Van Ginkel (113), while Knicks Go's daughter Soaring Angel posted a 107 figure despite going off at 6-1 odds.

Broski, 136 HRN speed figure

Three-year-old gelding Broski earned the week's top speed figure of 136 with his breakthrough victory at Del Mar on Saturday. An Irish-bred by Profitable out of the Grade 3-placed mare Spanish Fly, this Phil D'Amato-trained gelding finally found the winner's circle in his ninth career start. Antonio Fresu guided the 3-5 favorite to victory by 2 1/4 lengths in the seven-horse turf mile, with the gelding's running comment noting he "broke in/bumped, pace inside, kicked clear 2nd, hand urging."

Owned by Benowitz Family Trust, CYBT, and McLean Racing Stables, Broski showed his class on the firm turf after struggling to find his best form in previous outings. The impressive speed figure suggests this gelding could develop into a useful turf specialist.

Usha, 124

Three-year-old filly Usha posted a 124 HRN speed figure while dominating her maiden victory at Del Mar on Sunday by an impressive 11 1/2 lengths. By Tiz the Law out of Animal Appeal, she finally broke through in her fifth career start for Bob Baffert. Juan Hernandez rode the 9-2 shot for the partnership of Michael Pegram, Karl Watson, and Paul Weitman in the 6 1/2-furlong dirt race.

Her running style showed tactical ability as she was "up close 5 deep, dueled outside turn, powered away," suggesting natural talent that has finally come together.

Brant, 123

Two-year-old colt Brant earned a 123 HRN speed figure in his impressive debut at Del Mar on Saturday, winning by 5 1/4 lengths as the 4-5 favorite. By Gun Runner out of Tynan, this Bob Baffert-trained colt carries quality breeding and showed natural ability in his first start, enough to match his $3 million price tag. Flavien Prat guided the Zedan Racing Stables charge to victory in the 5 1/2-furlong dirt race, with his running style showing tactical speed as he "stalked duo, loomed 3wide, drew off, hand urging, in hand late."

The combination of Gun Runner's proven sire power, Baffert's training expertise and the colt's impressive debut performance suggests Brant could develop into a serious juvenile prospect.

Tapit's Legacy, 111

Tapit's Legacy posted a 111 HRN speed figure while making a winning debut at Saratoga on Sunday. By Tapit out of Peace Corps, this Todd Pletcher-trained 2-year-old colt carries the bloodlines of one of America's premier sires. John Velazquez rode the 3-5 favorite to a five-length victory in the seven-furlong dirt race for owners Spendthrift Farm and Epic Horses.

His running comment showed tactical ability as he was "4-3 wide... up inside 1/8 pole, drew clear" on a sloppy track. Tapit's Legacy could be a horse to follow in upcoming 2-year-old stakes.

Tommy Jo, 109

Two-year-old filly Tommy Jo earned a 109 HRN speed figure with her impressive debut victory at Saratoga on Saturday. By Into Mischief out of the Grade 1-placed mare Mother Mother, this Todd Pletcher-trained filly carries exceptional pedigree credentials. John Velazquez guided the 2-1 shot to a 3 3/4-length victory for owner Spendthrift Farm in the six-furlong dirt maiden special weight.

Her running comment revealed early trouble that made the victory even more impressive, as she was "bumped hard at break, settled... hand-ride." Despite the bumping at the break, Tommy Jo showed the class and determination expected from her superior bloodlines.

Soaring Angel, 107

Soaring Angel posted a 107 HRN speed figure while scoring a mild upset victory at Del Mar on Saturday. By freshman sire Knicks Go out of Cuyathy, this 2-year-old Tim Yakteen-trained filly carries impressive family credentials as a half-sister to Johannes, a Grade 1 winner who has earned $1.15 million on the turf. Kazushi Kimura rode the 6-1 shot to a three-quarter length victory in the one-mile turf maiden special weight for ownership group Cuyathy.

Her running style showed natural ability as she displayed early foot in the competitive nine-horse field. The fact that she tracked a moderate pace while making her debut on the grass suggests considerable talent. With her successful half-brother providing a blueprint for stakes success and her impressive debut performance, Soaring Angel appears to be a filly with significant upside potential.

Fastest maiden winners