Silver Max connections take time deciding next move

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Trainer Dale Romans said his three stable stars likely will stay put at Churchill Downs pending their next races while he takes the rest of his better horses to Saratoga for the summer.

Romans said he has yet to determine a next race for Silver Max, the 5-year-old turf star who won the Grade 2 Firecracker Stakes on closing weekend of the Churchill Downs meet when making his first start in almost eight months.

“It’ll be back on the grass, probably somewhere from a mile to one and one-eighth miles,” said Romans. “Where and when, I have no idea yet. All I know is I’m over the moon with how he ran off the shelf. He’s a very special horse.”

Silver Max, the only horse to defeat two-time Horse of the Year Wise Dan over the last two years, moved his record to 12 for 24 with his 1 3/4-length score June 28 in the one-mile Firecracker. The horse has earned more than $1.9 million for owners Mark Bacon and Dana Wells.

Meanwhile, Romans said he has decided to run Molly Morgan, the winner of the Grade 2 Fleur de Lis at Churchill in her last start, in the Grade 1 Delaware Handicap on July 12 at Delaware Park. Also, Medal Count, most recently third in the Belmont Stakes, will run July 27 in the Grade 1 Haskell at Monmouth Park.

Romans said his life partner and assistant, Tammy Fox, will oversee his Churchill string while he gets set up at Saratoga, which starts July 18. Fox has appealed a 15-day suspension for her role in the infamous June 26 stable-area scuffle at Churchill with newsletter publisher Ed Musselman and is being allowed to continue working until a Kentucky Horse Racing Commission hearing is conducted into the matter. Romans was not penalized, while Musselman has had his vendor’s license suspended for 30 days.

“I think we all just want to put this behind us,” said Romans.