Fastest maidens: Baffert's Crude Velocity dazzles

The week ending Sunday featured 35 horses posting a Horse Racing Nation speed figure of 100 or higher, highlighting a rich crop of young horses emerging from the maiden ranks.

George Weaver- trained Maykomotion hit a 123 figure at Tampa Bay Downs, the week's top mark. Bob Baffert added Crude Velocity (122) to his ledger at Santa Anita, while Dallas Stewart and Bill Mott each contributed 118-figure winners with Corona de Oro and She's a Gemma, respectively. The week's standout multiple-winner trainer was Amelia Green, who sent out two horses above the century mark, Roger Roger (107) at Aqueduct and Introubleagain (104) at Parx.

On the sire side, Beau Liam was the only stallion to produce two 100-plus speed figure winners during the week, with Crude Velocity posting a 122 at Santa Anita and Lola's Romance earning 100 at Tampa Bay Downs. Beau Liam, who stood for a modest $6,000 stud fee in 2022 and currently stands for $7,500, is quickly building a reputation as a value sire capable of producing horses with legitimate ability.

Vekoma headlined the individual sire performances with Maykomotion's week-topping 123, while Bolt d'Oro (Corona de Oro, 118), Nyquist (She's a Gemma, 118), Blofeld (Pont Aven, 117), and Basin (Sun of War, 117) all contributed stakes-caliber figures. Justify's Fancy Sailor (113) and No Nay Never's No Doubt About It (109) round out the notable sire contributions, with the week showing strong representation from both established and emerging stallions.

Maykomotion, 123 HRN speed figure

Three-year-old colt Maykomotion posted the week's top speed figure of 123 in a dominating performance at Tampa Bay Downs on Saturday. By Vekoma out of Maymont, the George Weaver-trained colt made just his second career start in a seven-furlong maiden special weight on a fast dirt track. He made every bit of it count. John R. Velazquez guided the 2-1 second choice to a 6 1/4-length victory, with the running comment noting he "led, 2-path, drew off". Bona Venture Stables and Bianco Stable own the colt, who was bred by Dominique Damico.

Crude Velocity, 122

Making his debut for Bob Baffert at Santa Anita on Saturday, 3-year-old colt Crude Velocity earned a 122 HRN speed figure despite an imperfect trip that would have beaten lesser horses. By Beau Liam out of Sweetnsour Kitty, the first-time starter broke a bit slow, was crowded twice during the race and still found a way to dig in and win gamely by a neck in the 6 1/2-furlong maiden special weight on fast dirt. Florent Geroux had the mount for owner CSLR Racing Partners, and the 10-1 price tag on a Baffert first-timer makes the figure all the more impressive. 

Majorca, 122

Majorca tied Crude Velocity's 122 HRN figure with a determined effort at Laurel Park on Saturday, winning a seven-furlong maiden claiming race on a muddy track by two lengths. By Volatile out of Palma, the 4-year-old Annette Eubanks-trained gelding was making his seventh career start, and it was evident that the experience finally clicked. He broke cleanly, tracked the pace, shook free off the rail and held on with authority at 8-5 odds under Jevian Toledo. Rising Sun Racing Stables owns the gelding, who was bred by the storied Castleton Lyons and Kilboy Estate operation.

Corona de Oro, 118 

Three-year-old colt Corona de Oro delivered a sharp 118 HRN speed figure at Fair Grounds on Saturday, romping home by 4 1/2 lengths in a 1 1/16-mile maiden special weight on fast dirt. By Bolt d'Oro out of Lemon de Oro, the Dallas Stewart trainee was making his fourth career start and came away as the clear class of the field, overcoming a slow break to dispute the pace two wide before drawing off in the stretch with ease. Brian Hernandez Jr. rode the 3-5 favorite for On Our Own Stable, and the lopsided margin speaks to a colt that is just beginning to scratch the surface of his ability. Willow Oaks Stable bred the colt.

She's a Gemma, 118 

Bill Mott sent out 4-year-old filly She's a Gemma to produce one of the week's most visually impressive performances, a 9 1/2-length romp at Oaklawn on Friday that earned a 118 HRN speed figure. By Nyquist out of Florida Fabulous, the filly ran in a six-furlong maiden special weight on fast dirt with Luis Saez aboard, and she turned in a power-packed performance that had her tracking the field before surging past rivals with a command that impressed. Making her fourth career start, She's a Gemma went off at 8-5 for owner CJ Thoroughbreds and left little doubt she belonged in far better company. Eden Farm bred the filly.

Pont Aven, 117 

Pont Aven arrived at Laurel Park on Sunday with five starts under his belt and produced his best performance yet, a 6 1/2 length maiden special weight victory on a muddy one-mile track that earned a 117 HRN speed figure. A 3-year-old colt by Blofeld out of Sweet Talking Girl, the Michael Trombetta-trained colt overcame a light bump at the break before pressing the pace, handling pressure through the turn and then opening up in the stretch for jockey J.G. Torrealba. Sent off at 5-1 for owner Day At The Races, the colt's ability to perform on a wet, tiring surface while drawing off so decisively suggests genuine ability. Dr. and Mrs. Thomas Bowman and Skeedattle Associates bred the colt.

Sun of War, 117

Sharing the 117 mark was Sun of War, a 3-year-old colt by Basin out of Rush to War who broke his maiden on debut at Mahoning Valley on March 3. Trained by Nestor Rivera and ridden by Luis Raul Rivera, the colt dueled inside before shaking free in midstretch to win by four lengths in a six-furlong maiden special weight on a muddy track, going off at 9-5. Rivera Racing Stables owns the first-time winner, who was bred by Daniel J. and Patricia J. Yates.

Fastest maiden winners