Fastest maidens: Exciting young horses have bright futures

The past seven days delivered a solid set of maiden winners, with 29 horses posting Horse Racing Nation speed figures of 100 or higher. These first-time victors represent promising prospects across multiple tracks, showcasing the depth of talent emerging in North American racing.

Leading the charge was Cucamonga, who posted a commanding 125 HRN speed figure at Remington Park while winning by more than six lengths. The 3-year-old gelding by Cloud Computing put it all together in his third start, making a move on the turn and opening up to win decisively.

Top trainers

Steve Asmussen once again showcased his skill with young horses. He has two impressive winners topped by Gun Twirl's 124 HRN figure at Remington Park and Pronghorn's 106 at Oaklawn Park. Cherie DeVaux also trained multiple standout debut runners with Golden Tempo earning 112 and White Smoke posting 107. Both of these first-time starters reflected DeVaux's strong ability to get horses ready to race.

Joe Sharp trainee Sockdolager earned a 120 in his second start at Fair Grounds, while Brad Cox also sent Thunder Buck (102) to victory at Fair Grounds. Tom Amoss charge Mister Banderas impressed with a 121 performance at Fair Grounds and Brittany Russell contributed Rhodes (118) at Laurel Park. Some horses from under-the-radar barns also had standouts during the week, such as Keri Brion's Nogradi (115) and Joe Duhon's To the Chief (116).

Sire influence

Gun Runner continues his dominance as one of racing's premier sires with three winners among the top ranks. Those included Gun Twirl (124), Sockdolager (120) and Thunder Buck (102), showcasing form across a range of distances. Omaha Beach also made his presence felt with three winners: Hogie the Player (110), Purple Heart (107) and Clear the Beach (106).

Curlin's influence appears through first-time starter Golden Tempo (112), while Uncle Mo was represented by Rhodes (118). American Pharoah contributed Nogradi (115) and Lockstocknpharoah (101). Essential Quality sired first-time winner White Smoke (107). Top regional sire Star Guitar also made an impact this week, siring Mister Banderas (121). The diversity of successful sires from established stallions like Gun Runner and Curlin to younger and regional ones demonstrates the range of quality bloodlines making an impact.

Top maiden winners by speed figure

Cucamonga, 125 HRN speed figure

Cucamonga earned the week's top speed figure of 125 with his impressive victory at Remington Park on Dec. 18. By Cloud Computing out of La Dolce Luna, this C.R. Trout-trained 3-year-old gelding went off at 6-1 odds to win going away by 6 1/4 lengths in a seven-furlong maiden special weight on dirt. Luis Quinonez guided the Cowboy Stables homebred to victory in the nine-horse field, with the gelding's running comment noting he "chased, 2 wide, rallied, drew away mid stretch, much the best." The margin of victory and impressive speed figure in his third career start suggest this gelding has found his niche and can be a useful extended-sprint or possibly route horse.

Gun Twirl, 124

Gun Twirl posted a 124 HRN speed figure while dominating a maiden special weight at Remington Park on Dec. 17 by 2 1/2 lengths. By Gun Runner out of Bella Rafaela, this 4-year-old filly is trained by Steve Asmussen. Sent off as the overwhelming 2-5 favorite with Erik Asmussen aboard for L and N Racing and Clark Brewster, the filly delivered with authority over 6 1/2 furlongs on dirt in her ninth career start. Her tactical speed showed as she was "nicely rated, drew off upper stretch, much the best, ridden out," demonstrating persistence finally rewarded after multiple attempts. Three Chimneys Farm bred this talented filly who sold for $300,000 at Keeneland September.

Mister Banderas, 121

Mister Banderas earned a 121 HRN speed figure in his 10th career start at Fair Grounds on Dec. 18, winning by 7 3/4 lengths at 1-5 odds in a six-furlong maiden special weight on dirt. By Star Guitar out of C R Vexora, this Tom Amoss-trained 4-year-old gelding is owned by Maggi Moss. Jose Ortiz guided the Brittlyn-bred gelding to victory in the eight-horse field, with his running style showing determination as he was "bumped start, mid pack, split, 4 wide, drew clear." The combination of persistent efforts and explosive breakthrough suggests this gelding has finally matured into his ability.

Sockdolager, 120

Sockdolager posted a 120 HRN speed figure while breaking through in his second career start at Fair Grounds on Saturday. By Gun Runner out of Grade 1-placed Snowy Winter, this Joe Sharp-trained 2-year-old colt carries impressive breeding from both sides of his pedigree. Paco Lopez guided the Barronstown Stud-bred colt to victory at 9-2 odds for owners Randall Hartley and Tom Durant, winning by 5 3/4 lengths over six furlongs on dirt. The colt showed natural speed as he took "command, pulled away" in the seven-horse field. The combination of elite sire Gun Runner, quality breeding, and impressive debut progression suggests Sockdolager could develop into a serious juvenile prospect.

Rhodes, 118

Rhodes earned a 118 HRN speed figure when breaking his maiden in his fifth career start at Laurel Park on Friday. By Uncle Mo out of Royale Paradise, this Brittany Russell-trained 2-year-old colt is owned by SF Racing, Starlight Racing and Madaket Stables. Rhodes won by 6 1/2 lengths at 4-5 odds under Jevian Toledo, showing early speed as he "came out start, dueled outside rival, drew off, driving" over 5 1/2 furlongs on good dirt in a maiden claimer. Bred by Pollock Farms, the combination of Russell's proven ability with young horses and the colt's impressive figure suggests Rhodes could develop into a useful prospect who may move up in class.

To the Chief, 116

To the Chief earned a 116 HRN speed figure when breaking his maiden in his fourth career start at Fair Grounds on Sunday. By Global Campaign out of Worth a Chance Mo, this Joe Duhon-trained 3-year-old gelding provided the week's biggest upset, winning by 4 1/4 lengths at 27-1 odds in a six-furlong maiden claimer on dirt. Jose Riquelme guided the Castlepark Farm and Dermot Joyce-bred gelding to victory for owners Robert and Dana Salome in the seven-horse field, with his running style showing determination as he was "off pace, angled 5w, rallied, up 1/16, clear." The combination of patience in developing this gelding and his explosive breakthrough suggests To the Chief has finally matured into his ability.

Nogradi, 115

Nogradi posted a 115 HRN speed figure while dominating a maiden claimer at Laurel Park on Friday by 16 1/4 lengths. By American Pharoah out of Grade 1 winner Time and Motion, this 4-year-old gelding carries exceptional breeding for trainer Keri Brion. Sent off at 2-1 odds with Martin Chuan aboard for owner Michael Foster, the gelding delivered with authority over 1 1/16 miles on good dirt in his ninth career start. His running style showed tactical speed as he "stalked pace, 4 wide move into far turn, pulled away, ridden out," demonstrating the kind of class that runs through his family. The American Pharoah Syndicate and Phillips Racing Partnership bred this impressively-bred gelding whose dominant margin of victory suggests he could have found his preferred distance.

Poppa Echo, 113

Poppa Echo earned a 113 HRN speed figure when breaking through in his seventh career start at Oaklawn Park on Sunday. By Echo Town out of Queen of Aces, this Cipriano Contreras-trained 3-year-old gelding is owned by Contreras Stable and William Rountree. Poppa Echo won by 2 1/4 lengths at 3-1 odds under Emmanuel Esquivel, showing early speed as he was "with pace 2p, showed way into lane, well clear, held" over six furlongs on dirt in the 11-horse maiden claimer. Southern Comfort Farm bred this gelding who demonstrated persistence finally rewarded, suggesting he has matured into a useful sprint prospect.

Golden Tempo, 112

Two-year-old colt Golden Tempo announced his arrival with a 112 HRN speed figure in his debut at Fair Grounds on Saturday. By Curlin out of Grade 3 winner Carrumba, the Cherie DeVaux-trained colt carries exceptional breeding for Phipps Stable and St. Elias Stable. Golden Tempo overcame a slow start to win by 1 1/2 lengths at 5-2 odds under Jose Ortiz, showing determination as he was "step slow, gained 6w, driving, in time" in the 10-horse maiden special weight over six furlongs on dirt. The combination of elite sire Curlin, stakes-producing dam, top-tier connections and impressive debut figure suggests Golden Tempo could develop into a serious contender.