Fastest maidens: Brown's Time to Win makes a statement

The last seven days have produced an exceptional collection of maiden winners, with 28 horses posting an HRN speed figure of 100 or higher. Leading the charge was Time to Win's 131 figure at Aqueduct, the highest speed figure among first-time winners this week and a performance that signals potential stardom.

Elite trainers leading the maiden ranks

Chad Brown continues his mastery with young horses, producing three winners this week topped by Time to Win's exceptional 131 speed figure at Aqueduct. The top trainer also sent out Schoolyardsuperman, who earned 117 in a powerful debut and Portfolio Duration with 108 on turf at Tampa Bay Downs. Joe Sharp contributed three winners including Western Run (107) and Betty's Dance (107), both at Fair Grounds. Bob Baffert added to his legacy with Greenwich Village's 114 debut at Los Alamitos, demonstrating his continued excellence with first-time starters.

Sire power

The stallion influence on this week's fastest maiden winners reveals both established excellence and emerging bloodlines. Not This Time leads the way as sire of leader Time to Win (131), adding another top prospect to his growing list of successful runners. Practical Joke continues his strong representation with two winners including Schoolyardsuperman (117) and Valiant Humor (116), showing versatility across distances and footings.

Gun Runner, a hall of fame racehorse who has emerged as one of the world's top stallions, continues with three winners led by Handsintheair (111), Western Run (107) and Waveless (105). Uncle Mo remains relevant with Fracture posting a 115, while Quality Road contributed Greenwich Village's impressive 114 debut.

Time to Win, 131 HRN speed figure

Three-year-old ridgling Time to Win earned the week's top speed figure of 131 with an impressive victory at Aqueduct on Thursday in his fourth career start. By Not This Time out of Nagambie, this Chad Brown-trained ridgling overcame a stumbling start but still managed to dominate by 5 1/2 lengths in a one-mile maiden special weight on dirt. Flavien Prat guided the 2-5 favorite to victory in the six-horse field, with the colt breaking in step at the start before ranging up four wide and drawing clear under urging. Spendthrift Farm and partners own this prospect who is a half-brother to Juju's Map, a Grade 1 winner who earned $775,000.

Hay Evabody, 129

Three-year-old filly Hay Evabody posted a 129 HRN speed figure while dominating a maiden special weight at Fair Grounds on Saturday by 5 3/4 lengths. By Mitole out of Roo's Valentine, the filly showed front-running brilliance for Brendan Walsh with Ben Curtis aboard for owner Calumet Farm. Sent off as the even-money favorite over six furlongs on a sloppy track, she delivered an uncontested lead and kicked clear to best her five rivals. This was her fifth career start and first time facing sloppy conditions. The combination of Mitole's speed influence and her dam's ability to win a two-turn stakes race suggests that Hay Evabody could develop further.

Schoolyardsuperman, 117

Two-year-old colt Schoolyardsuperman posted a 117 HRN speed figure in his third career start at Aqueduct on Saturday, winning by 5 3/4 lengths at 7-2 odds in a one-mile maiden special weight on dirt. By Practical Joke out of Tizlegal, this Chad Brown-trained colt carries quality breeding and showed tactical ability as he prompted inside before taking command at the half-mile pole. Manny Franco guided the Woods Edge Farm-bred runner to victory for owner Hit The Bid Racing Stable in the seven-horse field. The combination of Brown's proven ability with 2-year-olds, quality breeding from both sides of his pedigree and this impressive speed figure suggest Schoolyardsuperman could develop into a serious juvenile prospect for the winter and early spring.

Valiant Humor, 116

Three-year-old colt Valiant Humor finally broke through with a 116 HRN speed figure at Fair Grounds on Thursday in his 10th career start. By Practical Joke out of the Grade 3-winning mare Valiant Emilia, this Shelly Radosevich-trained colt showed persistence after several near-misses. He won by 1 1/2 lengths as the 3-2 favorite under Axel Concepcion in a seven-horse maiden special weight over 5 1/2 furlongs on a sloppy track. He showed patience, saving ground before making a three-wide bid and surging to the lead, suggesting his talent finally matched the conditions. Freedom My Way Stable and Kelly Flowers' investment in this Teneri Farms-bred runner has finally paid dividends.

Fracture, 115

Four-year-old gelding Fracture earned a 115 HRN speed figure in his third career start on Thursday. He prevailed by a neck as the 2-5 favorite in an eight-horse maiden special weight at Mahoning Valley, over six furlongs on a muddy track. By Uncle Mo out of Enhancing, this Daniel Leitch-trained gelding is a half-brother to Instilled Regard, a Grade 1 winner who earned $1.05 million. Deshawn Parker guided the KatieRich Farms homebred to victory after pressing the pace two-deep and engaging in a stretch battle between horses before edging ahead late. The combination of Uncle Mo's class, his impressive family connections and his ability to win on an off track suggest Fracture could develop into a useful runner.

Greenwich Village, 114

Two-year-old colt Greenwich Village posted a 114 HRN speed figure in his debut at Los Alamitos on Saturday, prevailing by half a length as the 7-5 favorite in an eight-horse maiden special weight over 6 1/2 furlongs on dirt. By Quality Road out of Australia Group 3 winner Houtzen, this Bob Baffert-trained colt was bred by Stonestreet and races for SF Racing, Starlight Racing and Madaket Stables. 

Though he broke inward, Juan Hernandez guided the well-bred runner to a stalking trip before dueling outside and holding gamely through the stretch. The combination of Baffert's magic with first-time starters, exceptional breeding from both hemispheres and this solid debut figure suggest Greenwich Village could be a horse to follow in 2-year-old stakes races this winter.

Fastest maidens