Silver Max wins the 2014 Firecracker at Churchill Downs.
Photo: Reed Palmer Photography, Churchill Downs
Silver Max wins the 2014 Firecracker at Churchill Downs.
Photo: Reed Palmer Photography, Churchill Downs
Silver Max wins the 2014 Firecracker at Churchill Downs.
Photo: Reed Palmer Photography, Churchill Downs
Silver Max wins the 2014 Firecracker at Churchill Downs.
Photo: Reed Palmer Photography, Churchill Downs
Silver Max wins the 2014 Firecracker at Churchill Downs.
Photo: Reed Palmer Photography, Churchill Downs
Silver Max wins the 2014 Firecracker at Churchill Downs.
Photo: Reed Palmer Photography, Churchill Downs
Silver Max wins the 2014 Firecracker at Churchill Downs.
Photo: Reed Palmer Photography, Churchill Downs
Silver Max wins the 2014 Firecracker at Churchill Downs.
Photo: Reed Palmer Photography, Churchill Downs
Silver Max wins the 2014 Firecracker at Churchill Downs.
Photo: Reed Palmer Photography, Churchill Downs
Silver Max wins the 2014 Firecracker at Churchill Downs.
Photo: Reed Palmer Photography, Churchill Downs
Silver Max wins the 2014 Firecracker at Churchill Downs.
Photo: Reed Palmer Photography, Churchill Downs
Silver Max wins the 2014 Firecracker at Churchill Downs.
Photo: Reed Palmer Photography, Churchill Downs
Silver Max wins the 2014 Firecracker at Churchill Downs.
Photo: Reed Palmer Photography, Churchill Downs
Silver Max wins the 2014 Firecracker at Churchill Downs.
Photo: Reed Palmer Photography, Churchill Downs
Silver Max wins the Shadwell Turf Mile.
Photo: Mathea Kelley
Silver Max wins the 2013 Shadwell Turf Mile.
Photo: Keeneland/Coady Photography
Silver Max wins the 2013 Shadwell Turf Mile.
Photo: Keeneland/Coady Photography
Silver Max wins the 2013 Shadwell Turf Mile.
Photo: Mathea Kelley
Silver Max wins the 2013 Shadwell Turf Mile.
Photo: Mark Mahan
Silver Max wins the 2013 Shadwell Turf Mile.
Photo: Mark Mahan
Silver Max wins the 2013 Shadwell Turf Mile.
Photo: Mark Mahan
Silver Max wins the 2013 Shadwell Turf Mile.
Photo: Mark Mahan
Silver Max wins the 2013 Shadwell Turf Mile.
Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt
Silver Max wins the 2013 Shadwell Turf Mile.
Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt
Silver Max wins the 2013 Shadwell Turf Mile.
Photo: Keeneland/Coady Photography
Silver Max wins the 2013 Shadwell Turf Mile.
Photo: Keeneland/Coady Photography
Silver Max wins the 2013 Shadwell Turf Mile.
Photo: Keeneland/Coady Photography
Silver Max wins the 2013 Shadwell Turf Mile.
Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt
Silver Max wins the 2013 Bernard Baruch.
Photo: Coglianese Photos
Silver Max wins the 2013 Bernard Baruch.
Photo: Coglianese Photos
Silver Max wins the 2013 Bernard Baruch.
Photo: Coglianese Photos
Silver Max wins the 2013 Bernard Baruch.
Photo: Coglianese Photos
Silver Max wins the Oceanport Stakes.
Photo: Equi-Photo
Silver Max wins the Oceanport Stakes.
Photo: Equi-Photo
Silver Max wins the Oceanport Stakes.
Photo: Equi-Photo
Silver Max - Arlington Park August 17, 2012.
Photo: Four Footed Fotos
Silver Max - Arlington Park August 17, 2012.
Photo: Four Footed Fotos
Silver Max - Arlington Park August 17, 2012.
Photo: Four Footed Fotos
Silver Max - Arlington Park August 17, 2012.
Photo: Four Footed Fotos
Silver Max wins the 2012 Virginia Derby.
Photo: Coady Photography
Silver Max wins the 2012 Virginia Derby.
Photo: Coady Photography
Silver Max wins the 2012 Arlington Classic.
Photo: Four Footed Fotos
Silver Max wins the 2012 Arlington Classic.
Photo: Four Footed Fotos
Silver Max wins the American Turf.
Photo: Skip Dickstein
Silver Max wins the American Turf.
Photo: Skip Dickstein
Silver Max wins the American Turf.
Photo: Skip Dickstein
Silver Max wins the 2012 Transylvania.
Photo: Keeneland/Coady Photography
Silver Max wins the 2012 Transylvania.
Photo: Keeneland/Coady Photography
Silver Max wins the 2012 Transylvania.
Photo: Keeneland/Coady Photography
Silver Max wins the 2012 Transylvania.
Photo: Keeneland/Coady Photography
Silver Max wins the 2012 Transylvania.
Photo: Keeneland/Coady Photography
Silver Max wins the 2012 Transylvania.
Photo: Keeneland/Coady Photography
Silver Max wins the 2012 Transylvania.
Photo: Keeneland/Coady Photography
Silver Max wins the 2012 Transylvania.
Photo: Mallory Haigh
Silver Max wins the 2012 Transylvania.
Photo: Mathea Kelley
Well positioned just behind the leaders early, Villandry swung out for the drive and drew off to victory in the $114,000 River City Handicap (gr. IIIT) over a very firm Churchill Downs turf course Nov. 8.
Claire Novak and Tom LaMarra handicap the $100,000 River City Handicap, which will be run on Saturday, November 8 at Churchill Downs. watch video
Silver Max returns to his favorite track Nov. 8, getting a bit of class relief while looking for a rebound in the $100,000 River City Handicap (gr. IIIT) at Churchill Downs.
TimeformUS Weekend Stakes Plays for the G1 Shadwell Tuf Mile, featuring lifetime PPs from Wise Dan. read blog
Tom LaMarra and Claire Novak at Keeneland to preview the Shadwell Turf Mile featuring Wise Dan, Optimizer, Silver Max, Kaigun, and Seek Again. Watch Video
Two-time Horse of the Year Wise Dan faces the stiffest challenge of his remarkable return from colic surgery when he takes on Seek Again and Silver Max among seven rivals in the $1 million Shadwell Turf Mile (gr. IT) Oct. 4.
Seek Again overcame traffic in the stretch, advancing at the rail with an eye-catching run to win the $500,000 Fourstardave Handicap (gr. II) in course-record time Aug. 9 at Saratoga Race Course.
TimeformUS Weekend Plays for The Fourstardave & the Saratoga Special read blog
Claire Novak and Tom LaMarra give you the strategies to bet this talented field of 6 horses in the Fourstardave Handicap and potentially get a nice payout. Learn who Tom thinks is 'key' to the race. watch video
J. Keeler Johnson handicaps a pair of turf stakes at Saratoga, including the Fourstardave Handicap. read blog
With Wise Dan still progressing in his comeback from May 16 colic surgery, favoritism and a highweight assignment in Saratoga's $500,000 Fourstardave Handicap (gr. IIT) go to Dale Romans trainee Silver Max.
Making his first start since finishing fourth in last year's Breeders' Cup Mile (gr. I), favored Silver Max wired his seven rivals in Churchill Downs' Firecracker Stakes (gr. IIT), covering the mile in 1:34.21.
Dale Romans will play a strong hand on June 28 when he sends out the accomplished duo of millionaire Silver Max and 2010 winner Guys Reward in a bid to win this year's $200,000 Firecracker Stakes (gr. IIT) at Churchill Downs.
Morton Fink's Wise Dan, taken much farther back than usual given a blistering early pace, circled rivals on the far turn and drew away late to win the Breeders' Cup Mile (gr. IT) Nov. 2 at Santa Anita for the second year.
Horse of the Year Wise Dan will launch a title defense in the Nov. 2 Breeders' Cup Mile (gr. IT) from post 8 in a field of 10 off his only loss of 2013. Among his challengers is the horse who beat him, Silver Max.
A good number of the Oct. 26 works at Santa Anita were by Breeders' Cup candidates getting in major licks before the Nov. 1-2 World Championships, including Classic contenders Mucho Macho Man and Moreno.
TimeformUS: Top Last-Out Speed Figures in the Breeders' Cup read blog
It was a busy morning Oct. 19 at Santa Anita Park, as Breeders' Cup contenders led by Classic runner Mucho Macho Man turned in moves over the track.
Hear what trainer Dale Romans' contenders are currently doing and what he thinks through prior to entering Breeders' Cup races. watch video
The Breeders' Cup will reinstate entry fee benefits to the winners of Challenge races that lost their designation when the events came off the turf at Keeneland, but they will not receive an automatic starting position.
Keeneland, Belmont Park, Europe, Indiana Downs, Santa Anita and more. view slideshow
Evan Hammonds recaps the Shadwell Turf Mile, Darley Alcibiades, Frizette, and Champagne Stakes. watch video
Fall Stars weekend brought a bevy of surprises as favorites were felled in the major races and a record rainfall pelted Keeneland on the afternoon of Oct. 5. read blog
Both Wise Dan and Groupie Doll, who led the list of notable upsets nationwide in major stakes tests Oct. 5, remain on target for their respective dates in the Breeders' Cup World Championships, according to their trainers.
Reigning Horse of the Year Wise Dan saw his nine-race win streak come to an end Oct. 5 at Keeneland when Silver Max delivered a front-running score in the Shadwell Turf Mile Stakes (gr. II), which was moved to the main track.
Morton Fink's Horse of the Year Wise Dan makes his final start before the Breeders' Cup Mile (gr. IT) Oct. 5 at Keeneland, defending his title in the $750,000 Shadwell Turf Mile Stakes (gr. IT).
Silver Max ran legitimate fractions early and had plenty left to finish up late in the $245,000 Bernard Baruch Handicap (gr. IIT) Aug. 31 at Saratoga Race Course.
Coming in off a 5 3/4-length victory in the Oceanport Stakes (gr. IIIT), Silver Max looks for a repeat performance in Saratoga Race Course's Aug. 31 running of the $250,000 Bernard Baruch Handicap (gr. IIT).
Last year's Virginia Derby (gr. IIT) winner Silver Max flashed speed from the gate to add the July 28 Oceanport Stakes (gr. IIIT) at Monmouth to his portfolio for trainer Dale Romans and owners Mark Bacon and Dana Wells.
After winning his seasonal debut at Colonial Downs, grade II winner Hudson Steele appears to be well prepared for a start in the $150,000 Oceanport Stakes (gr. III) July 28 at Monmouth Park.
Zayat Stables' Prayer for Relief, second in his only two starts this year, broke through with a victory in the $300,000 Cornhusker Handicap (gr. III) at Prairie Meadows Racetrack & Casino June 29.
Six horses are entered in the grade III, 1 1/8-mile race at Prairie Meadows on the night of June 29.
Multiple graded stakes winner Silver Max was the class of the $62,415 Opening Verse Stakes June 1 at Churchill Downs, and moving the race off the turf didn't give the 4-year-old gelding any trouble.
The $100,000 Aristides Stakes (gr. III) may be the feature worth the most June 1 at Churchill Downs, but a familiar cast of characters makes the $65,000 Opening Verse a more intriguing contest.
Horse of the Year Wise Dan ran his winning streak to six races and surpassed $4 million in career earnings handily in the Woodford Reserve Turf Classic (gr. IT) over yielding ground May 4 at Churchill Downs.
Wise Dan and Point of Entry face off May 4 at Churchill Downs in the $500,000 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic (gr. IT), the race immediately preceding the Kentucky Derby (gr. I).
Silver Max, who captured six consecutive races on turf last year, makes his 4-year-old debut March 30 in the $100,000 Appleton Stakes (gr. IIIT) at Gulfstream Park.
Eclipse Award-winning trainer Dale Romans said his Siena Farm 3-year-olds will both make their next starts at Gulfstream Park; he has yet to determine an exact target in Dubai for Breeders' Cup Turf winner Little Mike.
Morton Fink's Woodbine Mile winner Wise Dan is the star attraction of a power-packed $750,000 Shadwell Turf Mile (gr. IT) Oct. 6 at Keeneland, where he'll take on 11 other starters 20 days after his most recent score.
Trainer Dale Romans sent Arlington Million (gr. IT) winner Little Mike and stablemate Silver Max through works at Churchill Downs Sept. 22, preparing the turf contenders for upcoming starts in New York and Kentucky.
Evan Hammonds recaps the Arlington Million, Beverly D., Alabama Stakes, and more! watch video
Trainer Dale Romans will saddle three in the Aug. 18 Secretariat Stakes (gr. IT) at Arlington Park, including streaking turf runner Silver Max.
Dale Romans will send a strong contingent to the Arlington Million and Secretariat (both gr. IT).
PORTER ON PEDIGREES, by Alan Porter
While the leading dirt runners of the 3-year-old division have fallen by the wayside, Silver Max steadily has been establishing dominance of the second-season runners on the turf.
It didn't go as smoothly as planned but odds-on choice Silver Max got the job done anyway in the $600,000 Virginia Derby (gr. IIT), registering his sixth consecutive turf win on yielding ground at Colonial Downs July 21.
Finnegans Wake looks live in Va. Derby. read blog
Tom and Pete handicap the Delaware Handicap and Virginia Derby. watch video
Silver Max puts a five-race winning streak on the line as the 123-pound high weight July 21 in the $600,000 Virginia Derby (gr. IIT), the showcase event of the summer meet at Colonial Downs.
Tom and Pete handicap the American Oaks Stakes at Betfair Hollywood Park and the American Derby at Arlington Park. watch video
Silver Max, who is riding a five-race win streak, returns to Arlington Park for the American Derby (gr. IIIT) Saturday, July 14.
| Trainer | Dale L. Romans |
|---|---|
| Jockey | Robby Albarado |
| Owner | Bacon, Mark and Wells, Dana |
| Breeder | Steve C. Snowden, Seth Lauffer & Will Lauffer |
| Silver Max View Five-Cross Pedigree | Badge of Silver | Silver Deputy |
| Silveroo | ||
| Kissin Rene | Kissin Kris | |
| Monique Rene |
| Sale / Hip | Type | Buyer | Consignor | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FTKJUL2010 Hip 260 |
Yearling | Dale Romans, agent | Watermill Farm, agent | $20,000 |
| Upstart |
| California Chrome |
| Rachel Alexandra |
| Texas Red |
| Bodemeister |
| International Star |
| Far Right |
| Buddy's Saint |
| Main Sequence |
| Calculator |
