This column highlights the performances of 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.
A long female line of graded stakes winners leads us to this week's primary subject for Maiden Watch.
American Summer, the first-time-starting daughter of Constitution , broke her maiden Jan. 15 at Turfway Park when sprinting 6 furlongs. Trained by Kelsey Danner, American Summer got away last from the gate under Gabe Saez. On the turn for home, she started picking off horses and dove to the inside rail to take the Turfway finale by 1 1/4 lengths in a final time of 1:12.57. Bred by Brereton Jones and owned by his estate, American Summer earned a 67 Beyer Speed Figure and an 83 Equibase Speed Figure.
She paid $11.30 for a $2 win wager.
American Summer represents the fourth generation of a family-owned by Jones or his estate. The former Kentucky Governor, founder of Airdrie Stud, died in 2023.
A small but well-balanced filly, she fell short of her reserve when bidding stalled at $190,000 during the 2024 September Yearling Sale at Keeneland.
Watch the orange and green silks of American Summer (Constitution o/o Speaktomeofsummer). When you're small, you can make all the holes!
— Airdrie Stud (@AirdrieStud) January 16, 2026
This filly was a spicey yearling and so well balanced, but didn't sell because of her size. Winner on debut! 🔥 https://t.co/72SasrajIi
American Summer's dam, the Summer Front mare Speaktomeofsummer, won the Lake Placid Stakes (G2T) over 1 1/8 miles on the turf at Saratoga Race Course. Her second dam, Silver Reunion, won the Endeavor Stakes (G3T) at Tampa Bay Downs, run 1/16 miles on the turf. Her third dam, Silver Comic, won the Mrs. Revere Stakes (G2T) at Churchill Downs, also at 1 1/16 miles on the turf.
While American Summer's maiden victory came sprinting on Turfway's synthetic surface, a stretch out on the turf could be in her future. Ongoing racing in Kentucky is solely over Tapeta at Turfway Park until Keeneland runs over dirt and turf in the spring.
Mott, McCarthy Trainees Break Maidens
Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott was represented Jan. 16 at Gulfstream Park by maiden winner Black Cherry, the daughter of Liam's Map .
A $200,000 yearling purchase, Black Cherry broke on top and never looked back. She was confronted in the stretch by Pearl of Pearl and Let's Go Barbie, but was able to hold them off to get the victory. She finished the five furlongs on the all-weather track in 57.09. The Wathnan Racing-owned filly, bred by Alpha Delta Stables, posted a 60 Beyer Speed Figure and an 80 Equibase Speed Figure.
She paid $9.80 to win.
Out of the Summer Squall mare Summer Raven, Blacker Cherry is a half to grade 2 winner Lewis Bay and grade 3 winners Misconnect and Winslow Homer.
Out west on Thursday at Santa Anita Park, the third time proved a charm for state-bred maiden victor Dark Blue, who added blinkers and Lasix and routed for the first time.
Owned by Amerman Racing and trained by Michael McCarthy, the 3-year-old son of Maxfield broke his maiden in the fifth race at a mile on the turf. Going off as the close second favorite in the wagering, Dark Blue set the pace and took the field all the way to the wire, scoring by three-quarters of a length over late charging Columnist in a time of 1.37.03. Dark Blue earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 62 and an Equibase Speed Figure of 92.
He paid $7.40 to win.
Dark Blue is out of the Sky Mesa mare Gidget Girl, making him a half brother to 2025 King's Plate winner Mansetti, whose victories last year included a one at the grade 3 level. Jungle Racing, headed by sports radio host Jim Rome, bred Dark Blue in California.
| BloodHorse Maiden Watch | |||||||
| Notable 3-year-old maiden winners for the week of Jan. 12-18 | |||||||
| Date | Track | Race | Horse | Sire | Dam | Start | Maiden Watch Eligibility Criteria |
| 1/15 | SA | 5 | Dark Blue | Maxfield | Gidget Girl | 3 | Half to 2025 King's Plate and G3 winner Mansetti |
| 1/15 | TP | 9 | American Summer | Constitution | Speaktomeofsummer | 1 | Dam won the 2020 Lake Placid Stakes (G2T) |
| 1/16 | GP | 5 | Black Cherry | Liam's Map | Summer Raven | 1 | Half to three graded winners, led by G2 winner Lewis Bay |
