$3.4 Million Yearling Purchase Faran Breaks His Maiden

This column highlights the performances of 2- 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. 

Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert saddled yet another maiden winner. In his first career start, Zedan Racing Stables' Faran broke his maiden June 27 at Los Alamitos Race Course. 

Under jockey Umberto Rispoli, the 3-year-old son of Not This Time  dueled throughout the opening stages of the race with Noble Testament, the two posting fractions of :21.96, :44.48, and 1:09.52. Faran, a Maiden Watch Hot Prospect, hit the front as the field hit the stretch, and continued to grind, reaching the wire 1 3/4 lengths the best. He ran the 6 1/2-furlong test in a final time of 1:16.74 and, as the post-time favorite, he paid $3.20 for a $2 wager. He earned a 93 Equibase Speed Figure and a 72 Beyer Speed Figure.

Faran is out of the stakes-placed Tiznow mare Kayce Ace. A full sister to grade 1 winner and sire Colonel John, she is the dam of Comical (Into Mischief ), who at age 2 won the 2019 Schuylerville Stakes (G3) and finished second in the Chandelier Stakes (G1). Bred by Susan Casner, Faran was purchased by his owner for $3.4 million at Fasig-Tipton's The Saratoga Sale in 2024. 

Fifth Time's a Charm for Tagermeen

In three of his four unsuccessful attempts to break his maiden, Tagermeen lost to eventual 2-year-old champion male Ted Noffey, Woody Stephens Stakes (G1) winner Englishman, and Florida Derby winner and Belmont Stakes (G1) runner-up Commandment.

But the son of Into Mischief finally had his day in the sun, breaking his maiden June 27 at Churchill Downs.

Under jockey Jose Ortiz he broke sharply in the 6 1/2-furlong race and rated off pacesetter Campobasso, who posted fractions of :22.46 and :45.53. He continued to travel comfortably down the backstretch and made his move for the lead, becoming the front-runner as the field hit the top of the stretch. He pulled clear of all competition and hit the wire 1 1/2 lengths in front. He paid $6.46 to win and completed the race in a final time of 1:16.53. In his fifth career start, he earned a 93 Equibase Speed Figure and an 84 Beyer Speed Figure.

Trained by Steve Asmussen for owner Tagermeen Racing, Tagermeen was purchased for $1.4 million at the 2025 Ocala Breeders' Sales Spring 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale. He is out of the Empire Maker mare Silk Route, who has had four other winners on the track, including Taraz, who won the 2020 Martha Washington Stakes.