The Five Fastest Maidens, Presented by Taylor Made, for the Week of May 19-25

[Wandering Eyes]

   Who were the fastest maiden winners based on the Beyer Speed Figures this week? We count them down.

5. (tie) FACT, CD-10, 5/24, 1 mile
Beyer Speed Figure-83
(g, 3, by Instagrand–Bazinga Baby, by Afleet Alex)
2023 $125,000 yearling for Taylor Made Sales.
O-Grandview Equine, OXO Equine and LNJ Foxwoods. B-Town & Country Farms. T-William Walden. J-Luis Saez.
He touted himself with a strong debut second behind Big Truzz in one of the toughest maiden races of the Keeneland meet, and kept the ball rolling here.

5. (tie) SILSBEE, BAQ-6, 5/25, 6 furlongs (turf)
Beyer Speed Figure-83
(f, 3, by Vekoma–Grace's Treasure, by Rockport Harbor)
O-Swinbank Stables, RAP Racing and Chris Mara. B-Dirico R&B. T-George Weaver. J-Irad Ortiz Jr.
She took to turf nicely to overwhelm NY-bred competition and become yet another maiden grad by Vekoma. Among ownership group are Rick Pitino and NY Giants co-owner Chris Mara.

4. GROWTH TRAJECTORY, MTH-7, 5/25, 1 1/16 (turf)
Beyer Speed Figure-84
(f, 3, by Lope de Vega (IRE)–Wekeela (FR), by Hurricane Run (Ire)
O-Klaravich Stable. B-The Wekeela Partnership. T-Chad Brown. J-Samuel Marin.
She may not have been the fastest maiden of the week, but she was likely the most impressive. After racing professionally during the early stages, the debuting 3-year-old filly motored away from rivals with a turf turn of foot that suggests she could become yet another Klarman/Brown stakes performer.

3. SINISTER SMILE, CD-3, 5/24, 6 1/2 furlongs (2nd)
Beyer Speed Figure-85
(c, 3, by Practical Joke-Making Mark Money, by Smart Strike)
O-George Messina. B-Rhineshire Farm. T-Brad Cox. J-Luis Saez.
He couldn't win despite getting through inside pacesetter Master Controller in a dream trip, but the number came back solid. Cox doesn't claim many, but took this one for $50,000 last month, perhaps with an eye on grass: year-younger sibling Mo Stash won the GIII Transylvania. The same mare has produced GII Tampa Bay Derby runner-up Hidden Stash (who also ran well on grass) and Cupid's Strike (who had a strong preference for turf).

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2. MASTER CONTROLLER, CD-3, 5/24, 6 1/2 furlongs
Beyer Speed Figure-88
(c, 3, by Tapiture-Key is to Win, by Dixie Union)
O-AJMAC and Family Thoroughbreds. B-Chief Stipe & Felicia Branham. T-Brittany Vanden Berg. J-Chris Emigh.
Dropped into a $100,000 claimer, he continued his upward career trajectory. He controlled the pace for the first time, drifted off the rail at the 1/4 pole allowing 7-10 favorite Sinister Smile through inside to challenge, but prevailed anyway in a sharp victory.

1. ACADEMY, DEL-7, 5/22, 1 mile 70 yards
Beyer Speed Figure-91
(g, 3, by Oscar Performance-Sacred Luna, by Malibu Moon)
O-Harrell Ventures and Starlight Racing. B-Dixiana Farms (Ky). T-Graham Motion. J-Samuel Marin.
Maybe it was the sloppy track, or his first start on dirt in general. Perhaps it was the ultimate equipment change – he was recently gelded. Or possibly the $310,000 yearling buy is beginning to find himself after four starts. Whatever the explanation, Academy galloped into a new performance echelon, closely tracking favorite Bayou Blitz and powering away. Good decision by Motion not to scratch when the race came off the turf.

 

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