Max Silverhammer leads one-two finish by 8-1 longshots in Dust Commander

Max Silverhammer finished clear of a late run by Wealth to Me to post his first stakes victory Saturday night in the $50,000 Dust Commander Stakes at Turfway Park.

With John McKee aboard, Max Silverhammer got a good stalking trip before surging up the rail and opening a sizable lead after straightening for home in the one-mile race. Wealth to Me rallied strongly from last in a field of eight but was three-quarters of a length shy on the wire.

Baryshnikov ran third, another length back, while Timeless Fashion, the 6-5 favorite, was never a threat when fifth.

Owned by Desk Farms LLC and based at the High Pointe training center with trainer Billy Denzik, Max Silverhammer returned $19.60 after finishing in 1:40.09. The top two finishers were both 8-1 shots.

Max Silverhammer, a 4-year-old Kentucky-bred gelding by Wild and Wicked, was winning for the fifth time in 16 career starts. He was coming off a six-length win in a Dec. 5 allowance at Turfway.

Mike Manganello, who rode Dust Commander to win the 1970 Kentucky Derby, was on hand for the winner’s circle presentation.