Saturday, Colonial Downs
VIRGINIA DERBY-GII, $600,000, CNL, 7-21, 3yo, 1 1/4mT, 2:04, yl.
1--SILVER MAX, 123, c, 3, by Badge of Silver
        1st Dam: Kissin Rene, by Kissin Kris
        2nd Dam: Monique Rene, by Prince of Ascot
        3rd Dam: Party Date, by Speedy Frank
($20,000 yrl '10 FTKJUL). O-Mark Bacon & Dana Wells; B-Steve C Snowden & Seth & Will Lauffer (KY); T-Dale L Romans; J-Robby Albarado; $352,800. Lifetime Record: 13-7-5-0, $855,967. *1/2 to True Kiss (Yes It's True), SW, $115,418. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.

2--Lucky Chappy (Ire), 117, c, 3, High Chaparral (Ire)--Germane (GB), by Distant Relative (Ire). (€16,000 yrl '10 ITYSEP). O-Team Valor International; B-Allevamento Gialloblu S R L (IRE); T-H Graham Motion; $117,600.

3--Finnegans Wake, 117, c, 3, Powerscourt (GB)--Boat's Ghost, by Silver Ghost. O-Donegal Racing; B-Jerry Crawford (KY); T-Dale L Romans; $64,680. 

Margins: 1, HF, 2 3/4. Odds: 0.90, 5.90, 3.50.
Also Ran: Optimizer, Coach Royal, Mr. Handsome, Easy Crossing, Two Months Rent. Scratched: Summer Front.
Click for the brisnet.com chart, the brisnet.com PPs or the free brisnet.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Taylor Made Sales.
   Much to the delight of the other horses and connections signed on for last Saturday's GIII American Derby at Arlington Park, Silver Max was withdrawn in favor of this spot, which carried a pot three times as great. Much to the chagrin of those who lined up against him here, the bay employed his usual punishing front-running tactics and held a late lunge from Lucky Chappy to run his turf winning streak to seven straight. Offered for $50,000 in his career debut over the Saratoga main track last summer, Silver Max wired a field of starter/optional claimers at Gulfstream Mar. 9 prior to a 5 1/2-length victory in the GIII Transylvania S. at Keeneland Apr. 6. He overcame the 12 hole for a 2 3/4-length tally in Churchill's GII American Turf S. May 4, took the first leg of the Mid-American Triple–the May 26 Arlington Classic–and was coming into this off a 6 3/4-length success in the Oliver S. at Indiana Downs June 13. Sent immediately to the front here by Robby Albarado, Silver Max doled out a measured early pace and raced by six furlongs in 1:14.09. He cut the corner into the stretch still well in front, turned back a bid from stablemate Finnegan's Wake and dug in late to hold off Lucky Chappy for the win.