Photo:

Santa Anita / Benoit Photo

A horse’s first win is the most important of its career. It can set the stage for big things to come and always leaves connections and bettors full of excitement. A good barometer for future success is the maiden speed figure the horse earns. A fast fig done easily mean stakes company could be next, while a lower number can mean the horse has room to improve. Check out the fastest HRN speed figures from the past 7 days.

Gosger (HRN Speed Figure: 124) turned heads at Gulfstream Park with a professional maiden special weight victory that produced the highest speed figure of any first-time winner this week. The Nyquist colt, trained by Brendan Walsh, showed both class and determination in defeating eight rivals by 1.5 lengths going a mile on the dirt. Owned by Harvey A. Clarke Racing Stables, this three-year-old’s performance suggests he could be a player in upcoming stakes company. A familiar name to Prospect Watch readers, Gosger is a half-brother to the American Pharoah filly and multiple Grade 1 winner, Harvey’s Lil Goil.

Baeza (123) delivered a powerful statement in his 3rd lifetime start at Santa Anita for trainer John Shirreffs, drawing off by 4.75 lengths in a maiden special weight contest. This son of McKinzie demonstrated the tactical speed and finishing kick his sire was known for, dominating at one mile on dirt. While the field size was modest at six runners, the visual impression and speed figure mark this colt as one to watch. If that isn’t enough, Baeza is a half-brother to Kentucky Derby winner Mage and Belmont Stakes winner Dornoch.

Velvet Vortex (122) gave trainer Brad Cox and e Five Racing another promising prospect with a game 3/4-length victory in a maiden special weight sprint at Fair Grounds. The daughter of Complexity showed precocity and determination in defeating eight rivals over six furlongs. The winning margin and speed figure suggests she was well within herself at the wire.

Golden Sunshine (114) gave Godolphin and trainer Eoin Harty a stylish winner on the Turfway synthetic surface, drawing clear by 4.25 lengths at a mile. The daughter of Medaglia d’Oro handled the larger field of 11 with professional aplomb, suggesting she could be equally effective on multiple surfaces moving forward.

Conejo Chapin (114) powered to a 3.5-length victory at Fair Grounds for trainer Sherman Savoie, demonstrating strong sprinting ability in a six-furlong maiden special weight. Despite facing a full field of 11, this son of Stealcase showed no signs of greenness, suggesting he could develop into a useful stakes sprinter.

Ahavah (114), a half-sister to Grade 1 winner Vahva, impressed at Fair Grounds when taking her six-furlong debut by 1.5 lengths for trainer Cherie DeVaux. The daughter of City of Light faced quality competition in her maiden special weight victory and appears to have significant upside.

It’s My Life (111) may be a later-developing type as a four-year-old, but his maiden special weight victory at Gulfstream Park for trainer Rusty Arnold showed promise. The Into Mischief colt’s six-furlong triumph wasn’t flashy at just a length margin, but the speed figure indicates there’s talent to work with.

Check out all of the maiden speed figures for the week below.