Fastest maidens: D'code dazzles with 131 at Oaklawn

The last seven days have delivered a solid collection of maiden winners, with 33 horses posting a Horse Racing Nation speed figure of 100 or higher. Leading the charge was D'code's impressive 131 figure at Oaklawn, the highest speed figure among first-time winners this week and a performance that signals potential stardom for this Speightstown colt.

Elite trainers

Steve Asmussen continues his mastery with developing young talent, producing two winners this week, Stormforged (109) and Remix (107) at Remington Park. Chad Brown added to his reputation with Iron Honor's exceptional 124 speed figure at Aqueduct. Michael P. De Paulo also contributed two winners, Cajun Influence (108) and Orient Beach (103) at Woodbine.

Bob Baffert added Toaster (107) at Los Alamitos with the McKinzie filly showing class in her debut. Linda Rice produced Snide (111) at Aqueduct, which put her record at the NYRA track at 165 wins in one year. 

Sire power

The stallion influence on this week's fastest maiden winners reveals both established excellence and emerging bloodlines. Speightstown leads the way as sire of leader D'code (131), adding another top prospect to his legacy. Nyquist, standing for $175,000, continues his strong representation with Iron Honor (124) for Chad Brown. Vekoma had two winners with Stormforged (109) and Steeze (103), demonstrating the young sire's versatility across distances.

Gun Runner, one of the world's top stallions standing for $250,000, contributed Remix (107), who won impressively at Remington Park.

D'code, 131 HRN speed figure

Two-year-old colt D'code earned the week's top speed figure of 131 with his dominant first-time starter victory at Oaklawn on Sunday. By Speightstown out of Dos Vinos, this H. Ray Ashford Jr.-trained colt delivered an exceptional debut performance, winning by 8 1/4 lengths as the 9-5 favorite in an 11-horse maiden special weight over six furlongs on a fast dirt track. Cristian Torres guided the Tom Durant homebred to victory, with the colt showing tactical speed as he ranged up with the pace, dueled, then shook clear turning for home before being ridden out. The combination of Speightstown's speed influence and this impressive debut figure suggests D'code could develop into a serious prospect for the winter and spring.

Iron Honor, 124

Two-year-old colt Iron Honor posted a 124 HRN speed figure in his impressive debut at Aqueduct on Saturday, winning by 1 1/2 lengths at 5-1 odds in a seven-horse maiden special weight over six furlongs on dirt. By Nyquist out of Orencia, this Chad Brown-trained colt was bred by Mike Freeny and Pat Freeny and races for St. Elias Stable, William H. Lawrence and Glassma. Manuel Franco guided the well-bred runner through a perfect trip as he hustled to chase outside, then made a bid in the two-to-three path on the turn before dueling and prevailing.

Ghostagain, 112

Three-year-old gelding Ghostagain finally broke through with a 112 HRN speed figure at Mahoning Valley on Dec. 8 in his fifth career start. By Ghostzapper out of Street Nonsense, this Justin Radosevich-trained gelding showed persistence after several near-misses, winning by three-quarters of a length as the 4-1 choice under Jose Bracho in an eight-horse maiden claiming race over six furlongs on fast dirt. He overcame leaning in at the start before tracking in the two path, then made his bid between horses while brushing at the three-sixteenth pole, dueled gamely and prevailed. Charlie Williams owns this Theta Holdings-bred runner.

Snide, 111

Three-year-old filly Snide posted a 111 HRN speed figure in her third career start at Aqueduct on Friday, winning by 4 3/4 lengths at 28-1 odds in a seven-horse maiden special weight over one mile on dirt. By Tonalist out of Grade 3 winner New Normal, this Linda Rice-trained filly was bred by R.S. Evans and races for Rice herself. Kendrick Carmouche guided the long shot to a wire-to-wire victory, as she was coaxed at the start, led early in the three path, dueled in the two-to-three wide positions, then went four wide in the upper stretch before drawing clear.

Our Standard, 110

Two-year-old colt Our Standard earned a 110 HRN speed figure in his debut at Fair Grounds on Friday, crushing his four rivals by 8 1/4 lengths as the 3-5 favorite in a maiden claiming race over six furlongs on fast dirt. By By My Standards out of Somewhere, this Al Stall Jr.-trained colt was bred and races for Allied Racing Stable. Axel Concepcion piloted the well-supported favorite to victory, with the colt breaking sharply, stalking in the three wide path, then making his bid in the upper stretch to prove best. His dominant margin of victory and Stall's record with young horses suggest Our Standard could move forward quickly.

You and Me Baby, 110

Three-year-old gelding You and Me Baby finally graduated with a 110 HRN speed figure at Woodbine on Friday in his 11th career start. By Tweet Kitten out of Divine Help, this William Tharrenos-trained gelding showed remarkable persistence, winning by a nose at 7-2 odds under Emma-Jayne Wilson in a 10-horse maiden claiming race over seven furlongs on the synthetic surface. The Tara Horse Farm homebred raced at the head of the field from the inside early on the backstretch, then shook loose at the three-eighths pole before getting rail company from the outside at the three-sixteenth pole and holding on gamely.

Fastest maidens