Fastest maidens: 2-year-old Hometown Bound impresses

The past seven days delivered a solid group of maiden winners, headlined by 5-year-old gelding Highplainsdrifter's 133 Horse Racing Nation speed figure at Del Mar. The week's fastest maidens showcase a mix of established trainers and rising stars, with several conditioners saddling multiple winners during the period.

Philip Bauer contributed two winners with Moonlight Dash earning a 112 and Merry Madison posting 108, both at Churchill. Kathleen Demasi produced a pair of first-time winners at Parx with Smoked Bourbon (106) and River Escape (105). Rudy Rodriguez also recorded multiple winners, including Talk to Me Jimmy (105) and Belarosa (100)at Aqueduct.

Sire influence

City of Light made a strong showing with two triple-digit winners, as Ripped posted 114 at Churchill Downs and Merry Madison earned 108 at the same track. Into Mischief added to his impressive legacy with Mister Punch's 100 figure, and Mitole was represented by Hometown Bound's explosive 125 debut performance. American Pharoah continued his excellent record with Hypergamy's 108 at Del Mar.

Top maiden winners

Highplainsdrifter, 133 HRN speed figure

Highplainsdrifter delivered the week's most impressive performance with a 133 HRN speed figure in his seventh career start at Del Mar on Friday. By Mr. Big out of Hot n' Dusty, the Mike Puype-trained 5-year-old gelding finally broke through with a narrow victory in a nine-horse maiden claimer over one mile on turf. Welfin R. Orantes guided the 5-1 shot to victory for Black Racing Stable, with his running comment noting he was "keen 2-3 wide, tugged, 2-3 wide, moved out, grinding rally." 

Barb, 125

Barb earned a 125 HRN speed figure when breaking through in dominant fashion in his eighth career start at Churchill Downs on Nov. 4. A 3-year-old gelding by Candy Ride out of Grade 2 winner Classic Point, the Mike Maker trainee showed impressive late development to win going away by 7 1/4 lengths at 8-5 odds under Jose Ortiz. Flying P Stable's gelding "vied, tracked inside, 3-wide bid, kicked clear, best" in the six-horse maiden claimer over one mile on dirt.

Hometown Bound, 125

Hometown Bound announced his arrival with a 125 HRN speed figure in an impressive debut at Laurel Park on Saturday. By Mitole out of Youngest Daughter, the Jorge Duarte Jr.-trained 2-year-old colt justified 7-1 odds with a three-length victory in a 10-horse maiden special weight over six furlongs on a muddy track. Victor R. Carrasco guided the Colts Neck Stables color bearer bred by G. Watts Humphrey Jr., Victoria Oliver and G. Watts Humphrey III, with the colt showing early speed as he was "forward factor outside, 3-wide turn, bid 1/8, driving." The combination of a big debut figure and natural early speed suggests this juvenile could develop into a quality sprinter.

Parker Boone, 124

Parker Boone dominated his debut with a 124 HRN speed figure and commanding 12 1/4-length victory at Parx on Nov. 4. By Solomini out of Christmas Cove, this Robert Reid Jr.-trained 2-year-old colt made a powerful first impression, winning at 7-5 odds under Mychel Sanchez. The Cash is King and LC Racing color bearer showed dominance as he "quickly took control then widened throughout under mild urging" over six furlongs on dirt in the seven-horse maiden special weight. The margin of victory and exceptional debut figure mark Parker Boone as one of the week's most exciting juvenile prospects.

American Pearl, 114

American Pearl posted a 114 HRN speed figure in her second career start at Churchill Downs on Wednesday, winning by 1 3/4 lengths at 7-5 odds in a six-horse maiden special weight over one mile on dirt. By Gun Runner out of Uruguay Grade 1 winner Acqua Fresh, this William Walden-trained 3-year-old filly carries elite breeding from both sides of her pedigree. Jaime Torres guided the LNJ Foxwoods and Michael J. Snyder homebred to victory. Her determined running style paid off as she went "sharply, pressured pace inside, opened up, held firm."

Ripped, 114

Ripped finally broke through with a 114 HRN speed figure in his 13th career start at Churchill Downs on Saturday. By City of Light out of Fly Time, this Steve Asmussen-trained 3-year-old colt showed persistence pays off, winning by 1 1/4 lengths at 8-1 odds under Keith J. Asmussen. BC Stables' colt went "swiftly, pressed 2 path, vied on turn, bid 3/16, kept on" in the five-horse maiden special weight over 6 1/2 furlongs on dirt.

Moonlight Dash, 112

Moonlight Dash earned a 112 HRN speed figure in her second career start at Churchill Downs on Sunday. A 3-year-old filly by Maclean's Music out of Moon Dash, the Philip Bauer trainee carries impressive family credentials as a half-sister to Donegal Momentum, a Grade 3 winner who has earned $566,000. The filly showed excellent progression to win by 6. 1/4 lengths at 5-1 odds under Martin Garcia for Rigney Racing, with her running comment noting she was "bumped start, set pace inside foe, ... kick clear upper stretch, good energy" in the nine-horse maiden special weight over 61/2 furlongs on dirt.