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.
Less than 24 hours after Saffie Joseph Jr. ran 1-2 in the Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1) with 7-year-olds Skippylongstocking and White Abarrio at Gulfstream Park, the trainer showed off some of the young talent in his barn in unveiling the promising 3-year-old Code Review.
Racing 6 furlongs against straight maiden company in the third race Jan. 25 at the South Florida track, favored Code Review set fast fractions of :21.80 and :44.90 under Irad Ortiz Jr. before the 3-year-old son of Uncle Mo pulled away for a 1 1/2-length victory in 1:10.25. His time earned him a 78 Beyer Speed Figure and an 83 Equibase Speed Figure. The C2 Racing Stables, Ken Reimer, JRM Stables, and Tami Bobo-owned colt paid $3.20 to win.
"We just took our time with him because he's shown so much talent," Joseph said. "We've been almost bubble-wrapping him. He does get worked up a little in the morning. That was the thing: how was he going to handle the paddock and stuff. I was surprised how cool and collected he was."
Code Review is the full brother to 2016 Jim Dandy Stakes (G2) winner and eventual sire Laoban, who died in 2021. Before his death, Laobon sired several notable runners, including Simply Ravishing, winner of the 2020 Alcibiades Stakes (G1) at 1 1/16 miles on dirt at Keeneland.
Code Review is out of the stakes-placed sprinter Chattertown, a daughter of Speightstown.
C2 Racing purchased the Longfield Stables-bred Code Review for $575,000 from Denali Stud consignment to the 2024 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.
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OTHERS to WATCH From Gulfstream Park
Racing a couple of days earlier for Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher, She Be Smooth also delivered at first asking, though over a mile. Settling in third behind post-time favorite Prom Queen and Elgheed, she came off the rail rounding the turn for home under jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. for an outside rally. The stretch drive was a battle between her and Prom Queen, and she drove clear by 2 1/4 lengths.
Clocked in 1:36.59, the Calumet Farm homebred daughter of Lexitonian ran a 77 Beyer Speed Figure and an 82 Equibase Speed Figure. She paid $11.20 for the win.
She Be Smooth is out of millionaire and multiple graded stakes winner Seattle Smooth, who won the 2009 Ogden Phipps Handicap (G1), among other graded stakes races. Seattle Smooth has eight starters and seven winners from 10 foals, two of which earned black type on the flat, led by the grade 3-placed Seattle Slang.
Another one of her foals, Pik Em, won the 2019 Appleton Hurdle Stakes over jumps at Far Hills. That race was run over 2 and 5/8 miles, illustrating staying power.
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Also successful on debut at a mile was Canaletto, the $1 million yearling purchase and a half brother to grade-1 winner Sandman and grade 3 winner She Can't Sing. He drew off from the field Sunday at Gulfstream to break his maiden by 8 lengths. Trained by Chad Brown for owners Susan Magner, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Peter Brant, and Brook Smith, the 3-year-old son of Into Mischief went off the post-time favorite and proved he was worthy of 7-5 backing.
He broke on top, but was confronted by a Pletcher-trained duo, Mapped Flight and Spartacus, in the opening quarter-mile. He was able to fend them off, regaining the lead on the far turn under jockey Flavien Prat and never looking back. He won going away in 1.36.28, returning $4.80 for a $2 win wager. Canaletto is out of the Distorted Humor mare Distorted Music.
His time earned him an 89 Beyer Speed Figure and a 94 Equibase Speed Figure.
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| BloodHorse Maiden Watch | |||||||
| Notable 3-year-old maiden winners for the week of Jan. 19-25 | |||||||
| Date | Track | Race | Horse | Sire | Dam | Start | Maiden Watch Eligibility Criteria |
| 1/21 | TAM | 5 | French Tip | Hard Spun | Astray | 1 | Sold for $500K in 2024 at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale |
| 1/23 | GP | 8 | She Be Smooth | Lexitonian | Seattle Smooth | 1 | Dam won the 2009 Ogden Phipps Handicap (G1) |
| 1/24 | FG | 7 | Noble Affair | Vekoma | Paden Affair | 2 | Colt sold for $600K in 2025 as a 2-year-old in training |
| 1/25 | GP | 3 | Code Review | Uncle Mo | Chattertown | 1 | $575K yearling is a full brother to G2 winner Laoban |
| 1/25 | GP | 7 | Canaletto | Into Mischief | Distorted Music | 1 | $1M yearling is a half to two stakes winners, including G1 winner Sandman |
