Indiana Downs: Silver Max gunning for five in a row in Oliver Stakes

Silver Max, one of the top turf 3-year-olds in the country, has not been headed in his last four starts and will likely employ a similar running style in Wednesday evening’s $200,000 Oliver Stakes at Indiana Downs. Twelve 3-year-old males were entered for the one-mile turf race, but Howe Great, third in the Grade 2 American Turf at Churchill Downs in his last race, will not start.

“I am pretty sure we will stay and run in New York this weekend rather than ship out there,” trainer Graham Motion said by phone Monday, referring to Saturday’s Grade 3 Hill Prince Stakes at Belmont Park. Motion confirmed the Hill Prince as Howe Great's target in a Twitter post on Tuesday.

Silver Max, a son of Badge of Silver trained by Dale Romans, began his four-race streak March 9 in an optional claimer at Gulfstream Park. Silver Max then won the Grade 3 Transylvania at Keeneland by nearly six lengths, the Grade 2 American Turf at Churchill by nearly three lengths, and the May 26 Arlington Classic by two lengths. The Oliver doesn’t have many other speed horses entered, and Romans is confident Silver Max will be able to win his fifth in a row.

“I don’t have any worries at all in this race,” he said Monday. “I don’t think they will be able to outrun him.”

Robby Albarado will ride Silver Max.

“He won on him at Keeneland and he gets on him in the morning.” Romans said. “Silver Max is an easy horse to ride, just get him out of the gate and get him rolling and then hold on.”

Silver Max will ship from Churchill to Indiana Downs on Wednesday morning. He will be coupled with Quick Wit and Cozzetti, who also are trained by Romans.

Travel Advisory has finished second to Silver Max in his last two starts, the American Turf and the Transylvania, but trainer Kellyn Gorder feels he can turn the tide in the Oliver.

“He is doing really good,” Gorder said. “We skipped the race at Arlington and gave him a few extra weeks.”

Gorder also feels he has an advantage in the jockey department with Leandro Goncalves, who leads the Indiana Downs standings with 44 wins coming into Monday’s races.

“Leandro came down to Keeneland and got on him the other day, and he really worked well.” Gorder said.

Travel Advisory usually comes from far back in his races, but Gorder is expecting him to be closer in the Oliver.

“Leandro knows that turf course better than anybody and knows where he needs to keep a horse and when to move him,” Gorder said. “He can’t be that far behind this time.”