Fastest maidens: Sire Thousand Words notches 2 in top 10

Last week delivered another exceptional collection of maiden winners, with 29 horses posting impressive speed figures as they captured their first career victories. These emerging talents represent the sport's next generation, with several displaying the kind of raw ability that could translate into stakes success.

Elite trainers lead the maiden ranks

Mark Glatt topped the trainers' leaderboard with two impressive maiden winners. The veteran conditioner's pair demonstrated the consistency that has made him a force in Southern California racing. Phil Bauer, Kenny McPeek and Bob Baffert each contributed standout performers, with Bauer's Delightful Claire leading the week with a stellar 125 Horse Racing Nation speed figure.

Sire power on display

Thousand Words emerged as the week's leading sire with three representatives among the fastest maiden winners, two in the top 10. His progeny showed versatility across different surfaces and distances. Omaha Beach also made his mark with two winners, continuing his strong start as a young sire.

Delightful Claire, 125 HRN speed figure

Three-year-old filly Delightful Claire earned the week's top speed figure of 125 with a dominant victory at Saratoga on Saturday. By Thousand Words out of the Grade 3-placed mare Izshelegal, this Phil Bauer-trained filly overcame a challenging outside post in a 10-horse field to win by an impressive 9 1/4 lengths at 3-1 odds. Joel Rosario guided the second-time starter to victory in the seven-furlong maiden special weight on dirt, with the filly showing tactical speed as she "pressed outside... drew off, eased up."

The margin of victory and impressive speed figure suggest Delightful Claire could develop into a useful stakes filly. Her half-brother Crazy Mason already has proven the family's quality with Grade 2 success and earnings over $424,000, providing additional confidence in her future prospects.

Blackout Time, 118

Blackout Time posted a 118 HRN speed figure while capturing his maiden at Ellis Park on Saturday. A 2-year-old by Not This Time out of Beauty Parlor, this Kenny McPeek-trained colt won by 9 3/4 lengths at 1-5 odds in a competitive 12-horse maiden special weight over one mile on dirt. Brian Hernandez Jr. guided the second-time starter to victory, with the colt showing improvement from his previous effort.

The combination of McPeek's proven ability with developing horses and the colt's impressive pedigree suggests Blackout Time could be a horse to follow in upcoming starts.

Buetane, 115

$1.15 million purchase Buetane earned a 115 HRN speed figure in his debut at Del Mar on Sunday, winning by 3 1/2 lengths as the 1-5 favorite in a six-horse maiden special weight over six furlongs on dirt. By Tiz the Law out of the Forestry mare Taboo, this Bob Baffert-trained colt carries the bloodlines of a champion in his sire. Juan Hernandez rode for owner Zedan Racing Stables, with the colt showing early speed in his professional debut.

The impressive debut figure from a Baffert first-time starter carries significant weight, as the Hall of Fame trainer has a remarkable record with juveniles making their first starts.

Mighty Mikee and Deeply Hidden tie at 114

Two-year-old gelding Mighty Mikee posted a 114 HRN speed figure while breaking his maiden at Assiniboia Downs on Sunday. By Mitole out of Piccadilly Line, this Devon Gittens-trained gelding broke through in his first effort, winning by 5 1/2 lengths at 3-5 odds in a three-horse maiden special weight over five furlongs on dirt.

Three-year-old colt Deeply Hidden also earned a 114 HRN figure at Louisiana Downs on Friday. By Cloud Computing out of the Yes It's True mare Lorette, this Jonathan Wong-trained colt won by 4 1/4 lengths at 6-5 odds in his sixth career start. The margin of victory suggests the colt may have found his preferred conditions and could continue improving.

Only Phil, 109

Only Phil, a 3-year-old gelding, earned a 109 HRN speed figure when capturing his maiden at Ellis Park on Friday. By McKinzie out of Mia Torri, this Wayne Catalano-trained youngster broke through in his second career start, winning by two lengths at 9-5 odds in a competitive 10-horse maiden special weight over seven furlongs on dirt.

Corey Lanerie guided the colt to victory for owner Phillip Sagan Racing, with Only Phil showing the form like his stakes-winning older half-brother, Two Phil's.

Ted Noffey, 106

Ted Noffey posted a 106 HRN speed figure when breaking his maiden at Saratoga on Saturday By Into Mischief out of Streak of Luck, this Todd Pletcher-trained 2-year-old colt won by 1 1/2 lengths at 7-2 odds in a nine-horse maiden special weight over 6 1/2 furlongs on dirt. John Velazquez guided the debut starter to victory, with the colt showing talent and speed in his first trip around the Saratoga oval.

The Pletcher-Velazquez combination carries significant weight in maiden races, and Ted Noffey's patient development suggests he could continue improving as he gains experience. His breeding provides a solid foundation for potential stakes success if he continues on his current trajectory.

Fastest maiden winners