Fastest maidens: Incredibolt half-brother posts 112 speed figure

The past seven days delivered a solid set of maiden winners, with 28 horses posting a Horse Racing Nation speed figure of 100 or higher. These first-time victors showcase rising talent across multiple tracks, led by the spectacular performance of Lucius Verus with a 131 HRN speed figure at Horseshoe Indianapolis and an impressive score by Dr. Saikali at Churchill.

Elite trainers leading the maiden ranks

Aaron West produced the week's top performer with Lucius Verus's 131 HRN speed figure at Horseshoe Indy. Mark Glatt contributed Simple Song's impressive 124 figure at Del Mar, and Mark Casse showcased his expertise with multiple winners led by Voodoo Doll (100). Robert Gorham had a productive week with Country Promises (116) and Distant Galaxy (107). Brad Cox's winners included Dr. Saikali (112) and Global Quote (104). Todd Pletcher added to his maiden winner tally with Metfardeh's 107 performance at Aqueduct, and Dale Romans contributed Project Ace's 100-figure victory at Churchill Downs.

Sire influence

Violence led the way as sire of speed figure leader Lucius Verus, continuing his reputation for producing fast horses. Munnings, represented by Simple Song (124), showed his ability to get stakes-quality runners. Gun Runner's influence appears through Souper Caliber's 97 figure, with the colt carrying exceptional family credentials. Omaha Beach contributed two winners with Magic Beach (113) and first-timer Smoovin Saturday. Practical Joke demonstrated his sire power with both Merica's Back (108) and Cocktail Humor (105), and Blame and Bolt d'Oro each produced 112-figure winners with Blame Yasself and Dr. Saikali, respectively. War of Will sired Project Ace, whose dramatic stretch rally showcased the sire's ability to produce horses with heart and determination.

Top maiden winners by speed figure

Lucius Verus, 131 HRN speed figure

Lucius Verus delivered the week's most impressive performance with a 131 HRN speed figure in his second career start at Horseshoe Indy on Nov. 10. By Violence out of the Grade 3-placed mare Grandacious, the Aaron West-trained 3-year-old gelding dominated a five-horse maiden special weight over six furlongs on a sloppy dirt track. Axel Concepcion guided the 5-2 shot to victory for Nirvana Farm and Bow River Ranch, with the gelding's running comment noting he was "clear early, drew off, mild drive, geared down late." The combination of an elite speed figure and the manner of victory suggests this gelding could develop into a serious sprint prospect.

Simple Song, 124

Simple Song posted a 124 HRN speed figure when breaking through in his second career start at Del Mar on Friday. A 3-year-old gelding by Munnings out of Serene Melody, the Mark Glatt trainee showed tactical speed to win by 2 1/4 lengths at 7-1 odds under Kazushi Kimura. Muir Hut Stables' gelding "paced inside 2-wide, cleared turn, kept to task" in the seven-horse maiden special weight over 6 1/2 furlongs on dirt. The gelding is a half-brother to War At Sea, a 6-year-old Grade 3 winner who has earned $334,000.

Country Promises, 116

Country Promises earned a 116 HRN speed figure in her third career start for trainer Robert Gorham at Mountaineer on Nov. 11. By Country House out of Moonshine Promise, the 3-year-old filly justified heavy 2-5 favoritism with a dominant 7 1/2-length victory under Erik Barbaran. The filly was "sent hard, took command at the 5/8s point, opened up, was best" in the six-horse maiden special weight over six furlongs on muddy dirt, showing determination that suggests she could develop into a useful stakes filly for the Marion F. Gorham Revocable Trust.

Code of Silence, 114

Code of Silence posted a 114 HRN speed figure while breaking his maiden in his fourth career start at Laurel Park on Sunday. By Blofeld out of Tough Talkin Lady, this Timothy Keefe-trained 2-year-old gelding overcame a poor trip to win by 2 3/4 lengths at 8-5 odds. Angel Cruz guided the Mount Peru Farm gelding, who "lagged under ride inside, rail move 1/4, shift 5-wide, surged, led 1/16, driving" in the competitive six-horse maiden special weight over six furlongs on fast dirt.

Magic Beach, 113

Magic Beach finally found his winning form with a 113 HRN speed figure in his 18th career start at Finger Lakes on Nov. 10. A 4-year-old gelding by Omaha Beach out of Magic Mischief, the Debra Breed trainee won by 13 1/4 lengths at 8-5 odds under Emanuel De Diego. The gelding "set pace ... opened up lengthy lead, much the best" over six furlongs on sloppy dirt.

Blame Yasself, 112

Blame Yasself announced his arrival with a 112 HRN speed figure in his debut at Gulfstream Park on Saturday. By Blame out of Yass Queen, the Victor Barboza-trained 2-year-old colt justified 4-1 odds with a gutsy performance over seven furlongs on dirt. Emisael Jaramillo guided the Kyle Christian Bennett-owned colt, who "...set decent pace ... met bid stretch, dug in, determined" in the six-horse maiden special weight, showing the kind of tenacity that suggests he could develop into a serious juvenile prospect.

Dr. Saikali, 112

Dr. Saikali earned a 112 HRN speed figure in his fifth career start for trainer Ed Moger Jr. at Churchill Downs on Sunday. By Bolt d'Oro out of Sapphire Spitfire, this 3-year-old gelding is a half-brother to Incredibolt, a 2-year-old winner of the Street Sense (G3) who has earned $196,000. Jose Ortiz guided the Steve Moger-owned gelding to a 2 1/4-length victory at 7-2 odds, with his running style showing tactical speed as he "set pace ... game, repelled foes 1/8, drove clear" over 7 1/2 furlongs on fast dirt.

Project Ace, 100

Project Ace earned a 100 HRN speed figure while breaking his maiden in his third career start at Churchill Downs on Saturday. By War of Will out of Plenty O'Toole, this Dale Romans-trained 2-year-old colt carries top family credentials as a half-brother to Mr. Money, a Grade 3 winner and sire who earned $1.36 million on track. Corey Lanerie guided the Albaugh Family Stables colt to a dramatic nose victory at 3-2 odds, with his running comment noting he "bumped start, reserved inside, cut corner, rail rally, up in time" over 1 1/16 miles on fast dirt. The combination of Romans's proven ability with young horses, the colt's family connections and his gutsy late rally suggest Project Ace could develop into a serious route prospect.

Souper Caliber, 97

Souper Caliber posted a 97 HRN speed figure while breaking through in his fourth career start at Woodbine on Friday. By Gun Runner out of Transplendid, the Mark Casse-trained 2-year-old colt has black-type family as a half-brother to Dennis' Moment, a Grade 3 winner who earned $303,000. Patrick Husbands guided the Live Oak Plantation homebred to a commanding 6 1/4-length victory at 7-5 odds, with the colt's running style showing patience as he was "content sit back off pacesetter, reel in at 5/16, glided by 3-wide and at 3/16ths took lead" over 1 1/16 miles on the synthetic surface. The combination of top breeding, quality connections and the authoritative manner of victory suggests Souper Caliber could develop into a serious stakes contender.

Fastest maiden winners