Jul 21, 2012: Silver Max heads into the winner’s circle at Colonial Downs after the Grade 2 Virginia Derby.

One of my favorite horses in training right now is Silver Max, still the only horse to have beaten two-time Horse of the Year Wise Dan since that one’s win streak started in the summer of 2012. I’ve been following Max since he broke his maiden in early 2012, and I couldn’t be more pleased to see him continue his career this year. He has excelled on the turf, and it looks like he’s still got it at 5 years of age–he won the Grade 2 Firecracker at the end of June in his first race back since a 4th in the Breeders’ Cup Mile in November 2013.

I’ve seen Silver Max race a few times in person, and happened to be walking by Dale Romans’ barn at Churchill Downs at the end of April while he was out getting a bath. Co-owner Mark Bacon was unwrapping peppermints for Max, so I had a chance to speak to him for a few minutes. He seemed really pleased with his horse’s progress at that point, and it looks like it was well-founded optimism. I hope Silver Max continues his winning ways this year!

Jul 21, 2012: Silver Max in the Colonial Downs paddock before the Virginia Derby.

Jul 21, 2012: Silver Max with his matching Virginia Derby garland.

Jul 21, 2012: Silver Max at Colonial Downs, cooling off after a hot and sticky evening of racing.

Apr 30, 2014: Silver Max and co-owner Mark Bacon at Churchill Downs.

Apr 30, 2014: Splash!

Apr 30, 2014: Silver Max waits patiently for more peppermints during his bath.

Apr 30, 2014: Silver Max, all clean!

Apr 30, 2014: Here guys, you can have some of that water back.

Apr 30, 2014: Silver Max, ready to dry off and dig into some hay.