The search for racing’s next stars begins with impressive maiden victories, and this past week delivered several eye-catching performances worth following. From royally bred youngsters to late-developing prospects, we’ve analyzed the fastest maiden winners across the country to highlight those most likely to make noise in the coming months.

Sires making their mark

This week’s maiden winners showcase the dominant influence of several high-priced stallions. Gun Runner, standing for a $250,000 stud fee, made the biggest impression through impressive victors Disruptor and Perfect Force, who both earned identical 117 Horse Racing Nation speed figures.

Constitution continues his commercial rise with three winners including top performer Mister Lincoln. Other influential sires with multiple winners include Munnings and rising star Vino Rosso, each with three graduates breaking their maidens this week. The continued success of Into Mischief is represented by royal-blooded Valentinian, while Bolt d’Oro looks like a value sire with Toga d’Oro’s 123 figure among the week’s most impressive. With Justify and Curlin also appearing in the top pedigrees, it’s clear that commercial breeding decisions are bearing fruit on the racetrack.

Trainers to watch

No trainer dominated the maiden ranks this week like Todd Pletcher, who sent out five winners with an impressive 106.4 average speed figure, highlighted by Disruptor’s 9 1/4-length romp at Gulfstream Park. Richard Dutrow’s comeback tour continues to impress with three graduates including the high-figure performer Toga d’Oro. Steve Asmussen had four maiden winners, while Brad Cox and Ron Moquett each developed two impressive graduates. What’s particularly noteworthy is the success of Pletcher across different surfaces, distances, and racing venues, indicating a deep bench of developing talent in his operation. As we move deeper into 2025, these barns appear poised to unveil even more promising prospects in the coming months.

Mister Lincoln, HRN Speed Figure: 128

Constitution’s stock continues to rise with Mister Lincoln, who demolished a maiden claiming field at Penn National with a figure that tops our list this week. The 4-year-old gelding might be a late bloomer, but his pedigree suggests he was worth the wait. Out of Grade 1 winner Hot Dixie Chick, he’s a half-brother to millionaire Pauline’s Pearl, who captured the La Troienne (G1) last year.

Trained by Jamie Ness, Mister Lincoln bumped a rival at the break but quickly established command from an inside position, drawing clear around the turn before driving home to a comfortable three-length victory. While he debuted in claiming company, his impressive speed figure and royal bloodlines suggest he could rise through the ranks quickly. The wagering public clearly knew what they had, as he went off as the heavy favorite.

Toga d’Oro, 123

Richard Dutrow’s return to training continues to yield success with Toga d’Oro, who looked every bit a serious prospect when breaking his maiden at Aqueduct. This Bolt d’Oro colt demonstrated professional behavior despite breaking outward at the start, coming from off the pace while racing five to six wide before unleashing a powerful rally in the final furlong.

His seven-furlong maiden special weight victory earned a stellar 123 HRN speed figure, signaling high-class potential. With Dutrow’s patient handling and Manny Franco aboard, this 3-year-old appears to have a bright future, perhaps with stretching out in distance. Bolt d’Oro offspring continue to impress, and this one looks like he could develop into a stakes performer with further maturation.

Kentucky Outlaw, 119

Few maiden winners were as visually impressive last week as Kentucky Outlaw, who toyed with his competition by nearly eight lengths at Parx. This 3-year-old Outwork colt turned in a tactically perfect trip under Silvestre Gonzalez for trainer and owner Felissa Dunn. After stalking the pace from an outside position, he made his bid on the turn and quickly took command, pulling away under a hand ride through the stretch. His 119 HRN speed figure confirms what the eye could see: this is a serious racehorse with considerable upside. Outwork, a son of Uncle Mo, is increasingly proving his merit as a sire and this colt could be among his best yet. The devastating margin suggests Kentucky Outlaw could be ready for bigger challenges soon.

Perfect Force, 117

Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas knows a good horse when he sees one, and Perfect Force looks to be another promising prospect in his storied career. This 3-year-old Gun Runner colt delivered a textbook closing performance at Oaklawn Park, rating off the pace while positioned between rivals before swinging four wide into the stretch and accelerating when asked.

His 2 1/4-length victory earned a strong 117 HRN speed figure that suggests classic potential. Given his breeding, by horse of the year Gun Runner from a Grade 2-placed dam, and his strong late kick in a sprint debut, Perfect Force appears to be a colt with considerable room for improvement as distances increase. With Lukas’s expertise at developing Kentucky Derby contenders, this one deserves close attention in the coming months.

Disruptor, 117

Todd Pletcher and Irad Ortiz Jr. unleashed a potential monster in Disruptor, who lived up to his name with a devastating 9 1/4-length romp in a seven-furlong maiden special weight at Gulfstream Park. Another son of leading sire Gun Runner, this 3-year-old colt chased from an outside position before challenging for the lead at the quarter pole, quickly seizing command and drawing off impressively.

The 117 HRN speed figure ties him with stablemate Perfect Force, but the visual dominance of his victory suggests he might have even more upside. Owned by the powerful partnership of Repole Stable and Spendthrift Farm, Disruptor has the connections and raw talent to become a major player on the Triple Crown trail if Pletcher chooses to point him in that direction.

Penrod, 115

Ron Moquett unveiled a talented 4-year-old in Penrod, who earned a solid 115 HRN speed figure when graduating at Oaklawn Park. This Upstart gelding from a Grade 3-placed dam showed tactical speed and determination, racing within striking distance throughout before bidding between rivals on the turn and holding sway late under Ricardo Santana Jr.

Although he debuted in maiden claiming company, his professional performance and strong figure suggest he could be competitive at higher levels. Moquett is adept at developing late-blooming sprinters, and this one appears to have the tools to progress through his conditions efficiently.

Edgy, 114

The Pletcher barn struck again with Edgy, a regally-bred 4-year-old colt by Arrogate who captured a one-mile maiden special weight at Gulfstream Park. Racing outside stalking the pace, he made his move four-wide on the turn before grinding out a determined stretch drive to prevail by a length under Edgard Zayas. Although his 114 HRN speed figure is solid if unspectacular, his pedigree, out of a Grade 2-placed mare, and room for improvement give him considerable upside as distances increase. Though he’s a late developer, his connections’ patience appears to be paying off, and he could be dangerous in the older horse ranks as the year progresses.

Mo Swift, 112

The most dominant maiden winner of the week was unquestionably Mo Swift, a 3-year-old filly by Drill who annihilated her competition by 16 lengths in the mud at Mahoning Valley. Trained by Penny Rone and ridden by Luis Rivera, this speedster seized command early and widened her advantage at every call, demonstrating superior ability despite drifting through the stretch.

Her 112 HRN speed figure is particularly impressive considering the track and company, suggesting she could be successful when facing tougher opposition at larger venues. While modest pedigree might limit her ceiling, her raw talent cannot be denied, and she’ll be a formidable presence in the Ohio-bred stakes program if her connections choose to keep her in state-restricted company.

Muscled, 112

One of the more intriguing maiden winners was Muscled, who just got up by a nose in a one-mile turf contest at Santa Anita for trainer Patrick Gallagher. This 3-year-old colt by Karakontie showed clever tactical placement, stalking inside before angling out and getting clear in the stretch, then digging in gamely to preserve his advantage at the wire. His 112 HRN speed figure on turf signals quality, and his breeding suggests he could excel at this distance on the grass. With Umberto Rispoli providing a picture-perfect ride, Muscled demonstrated the kind of toughness and versatility that could make him a player in the Southern California turf stakes program throughout the season.

Jack’s Promise, 111

Dale Romans has a promising 3-year-old in Jack’s Promise, who delivered a powerful 5 1/2-length victory in a seven-furlong maiden claiming event at Gulfstream Park. This son of Promises Fulfilled pressed the pace four-wide before taking command at the quarter pole and drawing off impressively under Junior Alvarado.

His 111 HRN speed figure indicates genuine ability that could translate to higher levels of competition. Given that his sire was a formidable sprinter-miler, Jack’s Promise is likely cut from similar cloth and could develop into a serious one-turn specialist as he matures. Romans has shown a knack for developing this type of talent, including his sire Promises Fulfilled, making Jack’s Promise one to watch in allowance company in the coming months.

Valentinian, 103

Valentinian brings serious star power to this list through his pedigree alone. This 3-year-old colt by Into Mischief is out of Rachel’s Valentina, herself a Grade 1 winner and daughter of the legendary Rachel Alexandra. Racing for the powerful partnership of Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Stonestreet Stables, Valentinian showed his class with a professional 3 1/4-length victory in a 1 1/16-mile maiden special weight at Tampa Bay Downs. Trained by Todd Pletcher and piloted by Samuel Marin, he was well-rated in second or third position, made a three-wide move on the far turn, took command at the quarter pole and cleared away under mild urging.

His 103 HRN speed figure doesn’t leap off the page, but the visual impression and royal bloodlines suggest significant potential for improvement. With Pletcher’s record of patience with developing young routers, this colt could become a serious player as distances stretch out further. Given his regal pedigree and connections, watch for Valentinian to move up to stakes company in his next few starts, with the Triple Crown trail a possibility.

Keep watching these rising stars as they progress through the ranks. Next week, we’ll be back with another analysis of the most impressive maiden winners across the country.

Note: The speed figures referenced are Horse Racing Nation figures, and higher numbers indicate faster performances.