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D’code Leads Promising Group of Maiden Watch Qualifiers at Oaklawn and Beyond
BloodHorse research indicates that 2-year-old maiden winners, particularly those sold for over $500,000 at auction or with accomplished pedigrees, are strong contenders to become graded stakes winners. Recent races have showcased several promising horses fitting this profile, with D’code emerging as a standout performer after a dominant debut at Oaklawn Park on December 14th.
While impressive performances from Litmus Test at Los alamitos and Iron Honor at Aqueduct garnered attention, it was D’code who posted the fastest race by a juvenile last week, recording a 109 Equibase speed Figure and a 99 Beyer Speed Figure. This figure surpasses the 103 Equibase and 96 Beyer earned by Litmus Test, and even exceeds the 101 Beyer Speed Figure achieved by eventual Grade 1 winner Brant earlier this year.
D’code’s potential was evident at the sales, where he was purchased for $775,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic May 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale by Arroyo Bloodstock, acting on behalf of breeder Tom Durant. The colt remains in Durant’s ownership and is trained by Ray Ashford.
D’code’s debut at Oaklawn was a resounding success. Breaking sharply in a 6-furlong maiden race,he set a pressured pace,opening up a significant lead on the turn and ultimately winning by 8 1/4 lengths in a final time of 1:09.57 under cristian Torres. His performance nearly matched the 1:09.54 posted by veteran stakes winner Roll On Big Joe the previous day. As a son of the late Speightstown and the Twirling Candy mare Two Wines, D’code’s pedigree and running style suggest a luminous future in sprint races.
Other Rising Stars in the Maiden Watch
Beyond D’code,several other horses qualified as “Maiden Watch” contenders this past week,demonstrating potential for future success.
At Oaklawn on December 13th, Our Magical Moon, a son of Good Magic, graduated from the maiden ranks in his fourth start. The Live Oak Plantation-owned colt overcame a hot pace to win a 1 1/16-mile route by 5 lengths in 1:46.24, earning an 87 Equibase Speed Figure and a 74 Beyer Speed Figure. Notably, Our Magical Moon is a half-brother to Dixie Serenade, a winner of the 2018 Victory Ride Stakes (G3). He was purchased for $500,000 as a yearling at Fasig-Tipton’s Saratoga Sale.
Also on December 13th, at Gulfstream Park, Empress, a daughter of City of Light, secured her second career start and first maiden victory. The Todd Pletcher trainee, owned by Woodland Way, led throughout to win a mile race in 1:37.67 under John Velazquez. Empress, another $500,000 Saratoga Sale purchase, is out of the stakes-winning Scat Daddy mare Dolce Lili.
Rounding out the notable performances, Toaster, trained by Bob Baffert, broke her maiden in her debut at Los Alamitos Race Course on December 12th. The $525,000 Fasig-Tipton Midlantic May 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale purchase, racing for Sarah Kelly and Bill Strauss, covered 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:16.62. Bred by Whisper hill Farm, Toaster is a daughter of McKinzie and hails from a deep female family.
These recent maiden winners, identified through the “Maiden Watch” criteria, represent a promising group of 2-year-olds poised to make an impact in the coming year.
