Fastest maidens: Future stars post big numbers at Keeneland

Autodrive, a 3-year-old gelding, earned an impressive 127 Horse Racing Nation speed figure breaking his maiden Saturday at Remington Park on Saturday in his career debut. He was one of the 32 maiden winners who posted at least 100 HRN figure last week.

The week’s fastest maidens showcase elite training operations led by established names. Brad Cox and Chad Brown each produced a pair of triple-digit winners, demonstrating their consistent ability to develop young talent. Cox sent out 2-year-old colt Confessional, who earned a 122 figure at Keeneland in his debut. Paladin, a Gun Runner colt, posted 112 for Brown in his first start at Belmont at Aqueduct.

The week’s maiden winners represent a diverse mix of stallions from emerging young sires to proven veterans. Mo Town led the way with first-time winner Autodrive’s chart-topping 127 figure, also siring Mo’ Spresso (112). Not This Time continued his strong showing with Timekeeper’s Charm (104) and Unrivaled Time (102).

Blue-chip stallions Gun Runner, Essential Quality and Constitution all contributed triple-digit winners, highlighting the depth of quality bloodlines producing promising youngsters this fall.

Top maiden winners

Autodrive, 127 HRN speed figure

Three-year-old gelding Autodrive earned the week’s top speed figure of 127 with a dominant first-out victory at Remington Park on Friday. By Mo Town out of Zippy Speed, the Bret Calhoun-trained gelding overcame an outside post in an 11-horse field to win by 8 1/4 lengths at 6-1 odds in a 6 1/2-furlong maiden special weight on dirt. Jose Alvarez guided the homebred for owners Kirk and Wayne Sanders, with the running comment noting he "stalked pace, 2 wide, rallied, drew off mid stretch, driving." The explosive debut suggests Autodrive could develop into a solid performer.

Dr. Kapur, 124

Dr. Kapur posted a 124 HRN speed figure in his second career start at Keeneland on Thursday, improving dramatically from his debut. The 2-year-old colt by McKinzie out of Grade 3-placed mare Ava’s Kitten is trained by Saffie Joseph Jr. and won by 2 3/4 lengths as the overwhelming 4-5 favorite under Irad Ortiz Jr. The Ken Ramsey homebred "vied 2 wide, led between turn, drove clear" in the eight-horse maiden special weight over seven furlongs on dirt, showing the kind of progression that suggests he could be a stakes prospect.

Confessional, 122

Two-year-old colt Confessional announced his arrival with a 122 HRN speed figure in his debut also at Keeneland on Thursday. By Essential Quality out of Speedy Vanessa, the Brad Cox-trained colt delivered at 12-1 odds, winning by three lengths under Axel Concepcion in an 11-horse maiden special weight over seven furlongs on dirt. Steve Landers Racing’s homebred showed tactical ability and punched through with a strong finish. The son of the 2020 champion three-year-old male Essential Quality represents a promising young sire making his mark.

Mr. A. P., 117

Mr. A. P. earned a 117 HRN speed figure in his third career start at Santa Anita on the holiday Monday card Oct. 13, finally breaking through after two near-misses. The 2-year-old ridgling by American Pharoah out of Grade 2-placed mare Trenchtown Cat showed grit in a hard-fought victory, winning by just a nose at 3-5 odds in a seven-horse maiden special weight over one mile on dirt. Vladimir Cerin trains the colt for owners Holly and David Wilson, with Antonio Fresu guiding him home as he "stalked 2 wide, bid 3 deep, dueled, all out."

Mister Me, 114

Two-year-old gelding Mister Me posted a 114 HRN speed figure in his second career start at Parx Racing on Oct. 13. By Uncle Lino out of Queen of Winter, the T. Bernard Houghton-trained gelding dominated wire-to-wire, winning by four lengths as the 8-5 favorite under Frankie Pennington in an eight-horse maiden special weight over 5 1/2 furlongs on dirt. Sylmar Farm’s runner "set pace inside... pulled away, kept to task," showing the kind of front-running ability that could make him effective in sprints.

Dazzling Cruiser, 113

Four-year-old filly Dazzling Cruiser finally found her winning form in her tenth career start, earning a 113 HRN speed figure at Woodbine on Saturday. By Catalina Cruiser out of She Be Striking, the Steven Chircop-trained filly rallied from off the pace to win by 1 1/2 lengths at 5-1 odds in a seven-horse maiden special weight over 1 1/16 miles on turf. Ryan Munger guided Zilli Racing’s runner home as she made a "good kick" in the stretch. The $60,000 Fasig-Tipton July yearling purchase shows that sometimes it takes patience to find the right conditions.

Fastest maiden winners