Fastest maidens: Pletcher's Justify colt posts top figure

While most attention was on the Breeders' Cup last week, several horses got their first wins in impressive fashion. Twenty-six horses posted Horse Racing Nation speed figures of 99 or higher. The week's standout performer was Life and Times, who delivered a remarkable 132 HRN figure at Belmont at Aqueduct, marking one of the highest debut figures of the year.

Leading the trainers is Saffie Joseph Jr. who dominated the week with three impressive winners, topped by Solitude Dude's commanding 121 HRN figure at Gulfstream Park. Joseph also sent out Founders, who posted a 119 at Churchill Downs, and Bull by the Horns with a 99 at Gulfstream. Brad Cox added two winners to his tally with Contribution earning a 106 at Horseshoe Indiana and Commandment posting 104 at Churchill Downs. Other notable training performances came from Todd Pletcher with Life and Times, Brendan Walsh with Original Sin, and Cherie DeVaux with Paige Turner.

Sire influence

The week showcased strong representation from multiple stallions across different breeding operations. Leading freshman sire Yaupon made his presence felt with two winners including Solitude Dude's impressive 121 figure, while Constitution also produced a pair led by Founders' 119. Army Mule contributed two winners with Paige Turner and Midnight Show.

Justify continues to prove his prowess as a sire with Life and Times' stellar 132 figure, the highest of the week. Curlin remains a reliable source of quality runners with Original Sin's 118 performance. Promises Fulfilled added two winners to his growing resume, while Union Rags saw a pair of runners break their maidens with figures of 101.

Life and Times, 132 HRN speed figure

Life and Times delivered the week's most impressive performance with a 132 HRN speed figure in his debut at Belmont at Aqueduct on Saturday. By Justify out of Silky Serenade, the Todd Pletcher-trained 4-year-old gelding overcame an 11-1 price to win by 5 3/4 lengths in a one-mile maiden special weight on dirt. Life and Times is a half-brother to Grade 1 winner Restless Rider. Jose Lezcano guided Michael B. Tabor's gelding to victory in the eight-horse field, with his running comment noting he was "coaxed at start... 2 wide at 1/4 pole, drew off." The combination of a champion sire, elite connections, and exceptional debut figure suggests Life and Times could develop into a serious contender despite his late start to racing.

Solitude Dude, 121

Solitude Dude posted a commanding 121 HRN speed figure with a dominant debut victory at Gulfstream Park on Saturday. By Yaupon out of After the Party, the Saffie Joseph Jr.-trained 2-year-old colt demolished his opposition by 9 1/2 lengths at 7/2 odds under Micah J. Husbands. Chris Fountoukis' homebred "set a contested early pace, shook free at the turn, drew off in the stretch" over 6 1/2 furlongs on dirt in the eight-horse maiden special weight. The explosive debut performance and substantial margin of victory mark Solitude Dude as one of the most exciting juvenile prospects to emerge this week.

Founders, 119

Founders earned a 119 HRN speed figure when breaking through in his fourth career start at Churchill Downs on Saturday. A 3-year-old colt by Constitution out of Spindle, the Saffie Joseph Jr. trainee showed determination to win by 1 1/4 lengths at 5/2 odds under Vincent Cheminaud. The colt for Robert V. LaPenta and Madaket Stables "tracked 2-wide between, aimed 3-wide at the second call, bid 5 paths in the upper stretch, drove clear at the 1/8, held sway" over 1 1/16 miles on the turf in the competitive 12-horse maiden special weight. The breakthrough on grass after three previous dirt attempts suggests Founders has found his preferred surface.

Original Sin, 118

Original Sin finally broke through with a 118 HRN speed figure in his third career start at Churchill Downs on Thursday. By Curlin out of Beauty and Light, this Brendan Walsh-trained 3-year-old colt is a Calumet Farm homebred who showed resilience to win by 1 1/4 lengths at 4-1 odds under Tyler Gaffalione. The colt overcame a difficult start, as he "stepped slow and was bumped at the start, off the pace in 3 paths, went 6 paths at the 1/4 pole, rallied, reeled in the leader late" over one mile on a sloppy track in the six-horse maiden special weight. The combination of top-tier breeding, quality connections, and a strong closing kick suggests Original Sin has significant upside.

Paige Turner, 114

Two-year-old filly Paige Turner earned a solid 114 HRN speed figure in her second career start at Churchill Downs on Friday. By Army Mule out of Sophia Mia, the Cherie DeVaux-trained filly carries impressive family credentials as a half-sister to Grade 1 Malibu winner Speed Boat Beach. Paige Turner won by 5 1/4 lengths at 8/5 odds under Corey J. Lanerie for David Ingordo, West Point Thoroughbreds and Danbr, displaying tactical speed as she "stalked 3-wide, bid in the upper stretch, drove clear at the 1/8 pole, handily late" over seven furlongs on dirt in the 11-horse maiden special weight. The combination of strong breeding, quality connections, and improvement in her second start suggests this filly could develop into a stakes contender.

While I, 112

While I posted a 112 HRN speed figure when breaking through in his fourth career start at Remington Park on Thursday. By Promises Fulfilled out of Shotgun Strong, this Steve Asmussen-owned and trained 3-year-old gelding showed front-running ability to win by 6 1/2 lengths at 8/5 odds under Erik Asmussen. The gelding "dueled, 2-wide on the turn, drew off mid-stretch, much the best" over 6 1/2 furlongs on dirt in the nine-horse maiden special weight.