The major quest among trainers with three-year-old maidens coming close to the racing season is for their horses to shed the maiden tag.
As at January 1 of every year, the age of all horses changes, a year is added on but there is a significant with the addition of a year, and that is the purse money.
The three-year-old maiden purse for a win is $1,050,000 with the winners’ share, $573, 300, while the total purse for a four-year-old is $730,000 with the winners’ share, $398,550.
The connections of three-year-old bay filly Miss Braeton by Successful Native out of Silver Slippers were able to breathe a sigh of relief, as after nine career starts, finishing second twice and third five times, broke her maiden in thrilling fashion, holding on by a head to win a maiden condition race for native-bred three-year-old fillies on September 20, 2025.
Ridden by apprentice jockey Demar Williams, the Ricardo Brown-conditioned filly covered 5½ furlongs in 1:10.0 (24.0 x 49.3 x 1:03.1), edging out fast-finishing You’re My Sweetie, piloted by Dane Dawkins.
Running with the blinkers off, Miss Braeton got a flying start, shooting to the front of the field.
She led newcomer, The Leviticus (Shane Richardson) and Sparkling Fire (Richie Shakes) into the half-mile turn but it was The Leviticus who gave Miss Braeton a stern chase turning for home.
Williams expertly guided Miss Braeton to change leads, allowing her to shake off The Leviticus. However, You’re My Sweetie made a late surge and Miss Braeton had to dig deep to hold on by a head at the wire. The Leviticus finished third.
