Baffert's juvenile maiden winners look strong

ARCADIA, Calif. - Two days into the winter-spring meeting, trainer Bob Baffert has already won maiden races with the exciting 2-year-olds The Factor and Uncle Sam.

The Factor broke a 21-year-old track record Sunday, winning a six-furlong maiden race by 8 1/4 lengths in 1:06.98. On Monday, Uncle Sam won his debut in a one-mile maiden race by 2 3/4 lengths, earning a 77 Beyer Figure.

WATCH REPLAYS: The Factor >> | Uncle Sam >>

The Factor’s fast time surprised Baffert, but the Sunday program produced two such records. Later, Twirling Candy broke Spectacular’s Bid seven-furlong mark of 1:20 by winning the Malibu in 1:19.70, which translated into 102 Beyer.

“The track was probably a second fast,” Baffert said.

Uncle Sam’s performance left Baffert impressed.

“I like the way he rebroke at the top of the stretch,” he said.

Ideally, Baffert would start the pair in allowance races in their next starts, though such races can prove difficult to fill. Stakes options include the $70,000 San Pedro Stakes over 6 1/2 furlongs on Jan. 17 and the $250,000 Robert Lewis Stakes over 1 1/8 miles on Feb. 12.

My Summer Slew back on dirt

My Summer Slew won his only start on dirt, an optional claimer at Fairplex Park in September 2009, giving trainer Craig Dollase optimism that he will run well again on dirt in a tough $68,000 allowance race for statebreds Thursday.

My Summer Slew was third in the Wild Harmony Stakes for turf sprinters at Hollywood Park on Nov. 28, and won the Kerlan Handicap for turf sprinters there in June.

“I think his numbers are a little better on grass, but this opportunity came up,” Dollase said. “Hopefully, it will springboard us better for something down the road.”

Thursday’s field includes Dancing in Silks, winner of the 2009 Breeders’ Cup Sprint who has lost four subsequent races, and the improving Amazombie.

Dollase has seen improvement from My Summer Slew since a ninth in the Turf Monster Handicap at Parx Racing in September.

“He’s kind of rounding into form after his Philadelphia race,” he said.