In racing lingo a horse is a maiden until he has won a race. When he does that he “breaks * his maiden.” And there are maidens and maidens. Usually a two-year-old, newly brought to racing, needs a little education. In his first start, or even in his first few starts, he may race “green” track or racing lingo again. He may not run straight or run only in spots, being nervous and confused. Or the newcomer in his first start may be up against very fast topnotchers of his age that either have it on him all the way or have an edge in racing experience. At any rate, a two-year-old maiden with no starts or only two or three under his belt cannot be dismissed because he has not won. A good handicapper analyzing his chances may note that in his earlier few starts he ran materially faster, even though beaten, than anything in today’s con test. And if that is the fact there is no silliness involved in backing him, provided the price is reasonable and not too short.