Pauline's Pearl, Big Talker, Beren Score Maiden Wins

This column highlights the performances of 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 grade/group winners, or have dams that are grade/group winners. BloodHorse research shows maiden winners in particular who meet these criteria are more likely to go on to be graded stakes winners.

Fair Grounds

Stonestreet Stables' homebred Pauline's Pearl, a daughter of Tapit  and grade 1 winner Hot Dixie Chick, took a 1 1/16-mile maiden test for 3-year-old fillies Feb. 12 at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots.

Jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. rated Pauline's Pearl in midpack of the nine-horse field as a half-mile went in splits of :23.95 and :48.49. Hernandez was patient with his charge around the final turn and then made a rallying move four- and then six-wide in the stretch. He gave the filly one quick reminder and she pulled clear to win by 3 1/2 lengths. Pauline's Pearl completed the distance in 1:45.86 on a sloppy, sealed track.

Pauline's Pearl made her third start in Friday's race for trainer Steve Asmussen. She finished fifth in her Dec. 19 debut and then third Jan. 15, both times at Fair Grounds.

Aside from being a grade 1 winner, Hot Dixie Chick also produced stakes winner Union Jackson , who placed third in the 2016 Aristides Stakes (G3).

Santa Anita

George Krikorian's homebred Big Talker defeated a field of nine other California-bred or -sired 3-year olds while racing 1 1/8 miles on the turf Feb. 14 at Santa Anita Park. The gelded son of Mr. Big  closed impressively in the stretch after being unhurried throughout to overtake the leader and pull clear by two lengths at the wire.

Flavien Prat, who has been aboard for the last two of Big Talker's four starts, let the gelding settle at the back of the field in eighth as fractions clicked off in :22.36, :45.97, and 1:10.41 for the first six furlongs. After advancing into fifth in the stretch, Big Talker rallied and quickly overtook the leaders. Final time for the race was 1:47.72 on the firm turf.

Tim Yakteen's charge was second in his last effort Jan. 8 at Santa Anita, but both of his starts over the summer at Del Mar resulted in off the board finishes.

Big Talker is out of the Unusual Heat mare Not Unusual, who is also the dam of grade 1 winner Mucho Unusual. Big Talker is also a full brother to graded stakes winner Big Score, who placed third in the 2017 Hollywood Derby (G1T).

Parx

St. Omer's Farm and Christopher Feifarek's Beren, who has raced exclusively at Parx Racing, won impressively Feb. 10 while going six furlongs for trainer Robert Reid Jr.

Ridden by Frankie Pennington, the Weigelia  colt was second as the first quarter-mile went in :21.80, but took over to post a half-mile time of :45.09 and five furlongs in :57.77. In the stretch, Beren opened up a five-length lead and finished 6 1/4 lengths in front in a final time of 1:10.69 on a track labeled good.

Bred by Susan Quick and Feifarek in Pennsylvania, Beren is out of the graded stakes-winning Diamond mare Silmaril. The mare won over $1 million while racing for Stephen Quick and Feifarek, who bred the mare in Maryland.

Beren finished second in two other maiden special weight events and fourth in the Pennsylvania Nursery Stakes prior to breaking his maiden on his fifth start.

New Winner for Harmony Lodge

American Code began racing late, debuting in March of last year as a 3-year-old, but the son of Triple Crown winner American Pharoah  and grade 1 winner Harmony Lodge won his fourth start Friday at Sam Houston Race Park. The 4-year-old colt finished second in his debut at Santa Anita and in his third start Jan. 30 at Sam Houston.

Byerley Racing purchased American Code for $350,000 at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale from the Hunter Valley Farm consignment. He is trained by Nicole Ruggeri.