Fastest maidens: Travers day winners lead top 30 for the week

Cadillacjoe’s remarkable 135 led the Horse Racing Nation speed figures among 37 exceptional horses who earned their first career victories in the past week. The 3-year-old gelding made all the running in sloppy conditions to score by 10 1/2 lengths at Finger Lakes.

Big Dom, a 2-year-old colt, was a winner at Saratoga in his first start which earned a 118 HRN figure.

Tom Amoss continued his excellent work with first-time winners, sending out Big Dom to a 118 HRN figure at Saratoga. Steve Asmussen had multiple representatives with Long Pour earning a 116 figure at Saratoga and Fuel posting a 102 at Ellis Park. Mike Maker contributed Colonel Caliente with a 110 figure, and Bill Mott showed his class with Playa Del Mar's 107 performance.

Other notable training efforts came from John Shirreffs with Westwood getting a 113, Brad Cox with Rancho Santa Fe at 99 and Jeff Mullins with Intrepido at 111.

Sire influence shapes emerging talent

Omaha Beach led all sires with three winners, demonstrating his growing impact as both Bedford the Brave as well as Maruvy broke through alongside his influence on developing talent. Into Mischief continued his dominance with Playa Del Mar, and McKinzie was represented by Big Dom's impressive debut victory. Twirling Candy contributed two winners through Margarita Girl and Mikelle.

Cadillacjoe, 135

Three-year-old gelding Cadillacjoe delivered the week's most dominant performance with his Wednesday score at Finger Lakes.

By Catalina Cruiser out of Into Mischief mare Sing Sing Dixie, this William Bartlett-trained gelding made his second career start a memorable one, running away at 7-1 odds Joel Cruz guided the Parker Farms-bred runner to victory in the six-furlong maiden special weight with the Equibase chart noting how he "sprinted clear, showed way, roused, widened, much the best."

The combination of the impressive margin of victory and exceptional speed figure suggests Cadillacjoe has found his ideal conditions and distance. His breakthrough victory was a major move forward off of his fifth-place debut.

Big Dom, 118

Two-year-old colt Big Dom impressed in his debut with a 118 HRN speed figure at Saratoga on Saturday, winning by a quarter-length at 3-1 odds. By McKinzie out of the Pulpit mare Half A. P., this Amoss-trained first-time starter showed natural ability under Jose Ortiz, racing three-wide in pursuit before being "let out 4-wide upper stretch" to duel through the final eighth and prove "gamely" at the wire, according to the Equibase chart. Greenwell Thoroughbreds owns this promising colt.

Big Dom's professional debut performance and strong breeding suggest he could develop into a significant juvenile stakes prospect. He is a half-brother to Canadian Derby (G3) winner Abeliefinthislivin, and his dam is a half-sister to champion juvenile filly and multiple Grade 1 winner Halfbridled.

Long Pour, 116

Long Pour posted a 116 HRN speed figure while breaking his maiden in his second career start at Saratoga on Saturday. By Tom's d'Etat out of the To Honor and Serve mare Pursuing Justice, this Asmussen-trained 3-year-old colt overcame a slow start to win by two lengths at 9-1 odds under Luis Saez. The chart comments described how he was "in hand, coaxed near quarter pole, four wide upper stretch, rebuffed foe," showing the kind of tactical speed and late-race grit that suggest continued development.

Racing for Calumet Farm and bred by Big Dom Racing Stable, Long Pour's breakthrough came after gaining valuable experience in his debut. His ability to respond when asked and battle to the finish makes him an interesting prospect to try handle longer distances as his career progresses.

Westwood, 113

Three-year-old gelding Westwood finally broke through with a 113 at Del Mar on Sunday in his sixth career start. By Authentic out of the Indian Charlie mare Indian Bay, this John Shirreffs-trained runner found the perfect scenario at one mile on dirt, winning by 3 1/4 lengths as the 6-5 favorite under Hector Berrios. The chart noted how he set the "pace inside (and) kicked clear" to score decisively for C R K Stable.

Westwood comes from a family that includes Grade 3 winner Shivaji, and his patient development under Shirreffs suggests he needed time to mature. He finished third in the Santa Anita Derby (G1) this year. His breakthrough at a mile indicates he should continue to improve as distances stretch out, making him an interesting prospect for longer races.

Intrepido, 111

Intrepido earned a 111 while winning in his second career start at Del Mar on Saturday. By Maximus Mischief out of the Pleasantly Perfect mare Overly Indulgent, this Jeff Mullins-trained 2-year-old ridgling showed tactical speed and determination, winning by 3 1/4 lengths at 2-1 odds under Hector Berrios at the challenging distance of one mile. The chart comments described how he "dueled inside, cleared, ... drew away, lost crop late," showing both speed and stamina.

Racing for Dutch Girl Holdings and Irving Ventures, Intrepido's victory at a mile as a juvenile suggests exceptional stamina and maturity. The race was noteworthy for having sons of champion mares Monomoy Girl and Stellar Wind among the entrants. The Into Mischief-sired colts, Plutarch and Provenance, filled out the trifecta. Intrepido's ability to handle the distance at such a young age, combined with his decisive victory margin against such well-bred foes, marks him as a horse to follow closely in future starts.

Five Bars, 102

Juvenile filly Five Bars overcame significant early trouble to post a 102 in her debut at Saratoga on Saturday. By Maxfield out of Secure Connection, this Shug McGaughey-trained filly showed tremendous heart after being "bumped hard between break, checked sharply" at the start, only to rally from the inside through the turn and get up in the final strides to win by half a length at 9-1 odds under Joel Rosario.

Owned and bred by Stuart Janney, Five Bars displayed the kind of determination and tactical speed that suggests she could develop into a stakes-caliber performer. Her ability to overcome such significant early adversity while still winning her debut marks her as a filly with considerable heart and talent.