This column highlights the performances of 2-year-old and 3-year-old maidens who have made no more than five starts and who either sold for more than $500,000 at public auction, have siblings that are graded/group winners, or have dams that are graded/group winners. BloodHorse research shows maiden winners, in particular, who meet these criteria are more likely to go on to be graded stakes winners.
Lady Jancis broke her maiden in style June 10 at Churchill Downs.
Under jockey Irad Ortiz Jr., the 3-year-old daughter of Speightstown broke sharply and set the pace, posting fractions of :22.16, :44.91, and :56.59. She continued to show the way, leading down the backstretch. As the field moved around the turn, the Steve Asmussen trainee opened up on her rivals, and hit the eighth pole 2 1/2 lengths in front. Traveling in the lane under mild urging, there was no competition in sight, and she hit the wire 3 1/4 lengths clear. She completed the 5 1/2 furlongs on firm turf in 1:02.77 and paid $3.42 to win as the post-time favorite. She earned an 84 Equibase Speed Figure and an 80 Beyer Speed Figure.
Owned and bred by Stonestreet Stables, she is out of the Redoute's Choice mare Thyme For Roses. A grade 3 winner in Australia, she is the dam of four winners on the track, including the Asmussen-trained Zeitlos. The daughter of Curlin has earned more than $1.3 million on the track with a record of 9-6-3 in 26 career starts. Her most notable victory came in the 2024 Thoroughbred Club of America Stakes (G2) at Keeneland. She is also entered in the July 20 Chicago Stakes (G2) at Churchill Downs.
Aretha wins first out at Woodbine
Jockey Pietro Moran piloted Aretha to her first win in her first career start June 13 at Woodbine.
For trainer Kevin Attard, the 3-year-old daughter of Tiz the Law raced just off the pacesetter Lazy Y Collection, who set fractions of :24.21, :49.66, and 1:14.52. Aretha traveled unhurried down the backstretch and made her move for the lead on the far turn. She hit the stretch drive in front, and continued to open up on her competition, hitting the wire 3 1/2 lengths the best in a final time of 1:46.67 in the 1 1/16 mile race on the all-weather surface. Aretha paid $11.30 to win as the second choice, while earning a 93 ESF and a 77 Beyer.
Owned by X-Men Racing and Madaket Stables, Aretha was purchased at the 2024 Keeneland September Yearling Sale for $160,000. She is out of the Seeking the Gold mare Song of the Lark, who has produced seven winners, including millionaire grade 1 winner Up With the Birds. Most notably, in his eight wins from 36 starts, he won the 2013 Jamaica Handicap (G1T) and both the 2014 and 2015 Nijinsky Stakes (G2T).
| BloodHorse Maiden Watch | |||||||
| Notable 2-year-old and 3-year-old maiden winners for the week of June 8-14. | |||||||
| Date | Track | Race | Horse | Sire | Dam | Start | Maiden Watch Eligibility Criteria |
| 6/8 | FL | 3 | Eze Village | Into Mischief | Broken Dreams | 3 | Out of a G3W, half sister to G2W Caribou Club |
| 6/10 | CD | 9 | Lady Jancis | Speightstown | Thyme For Roses (AUS) | 2 | Out of a G3W, half sister to G2W Zeitlos |
| 6/10 | IND | 2 | Zihnal | Quality Road | Theodora B. | 3 | Out of a G2W |
| 6/11 | DEL | 6 | Blame and Fortune | Blame | Quippery | 2 | Half sister to G3W Beyond Blame |
| 6/12 | BAQ | 6 | Ghost Me | Ghostzapper | Unspurned | 1 | Out of a G3W |
| 6/12 | LRL | 3 | Pendar | Caravaggio | It's Tea Time | 5 | Out of a G3W |
| 6/13 | GP | 2 | Mitts | Gretzky the Great | Unanimity | 2 | Half brother to G3W Nooni |
| 6/13 | SA | 7 | Stay Bossy | Stay Thirsty | Bossy Belle | 2 | Half sister to G3W Phantom Boss |
| 6/13 | WO | 11 | Aretha | Tiz the Law | Song of the Lark | 1 | Half sister to G1W Up With the Birds |
| 6/14 | MTH | 3 | Ms Sophistication | Into Mischief | Divine Elegance | 5 | $525,000 2-year-old purchase |
| 6/14 | WO | 3 | Powell River | Justify | Niigon's Eclipse | 3 | Out of a G2W |
