LRL: Max. capacity is large in terms of compensation score * The Racing Biz

Max Capacity did not start fastest on Sunday during the sixth race at Laurel Park.

But he had taken full control shortly afterwards and was never really challenged en route to a one and a half length victory under jockey Jevian Toledo.

“He has always trained like a nice horse,” said winning trainer and co-owner Rick Sillaman. “That’s why I let him run a few stakes races.”

About that: Max Capacity, a son of freshman sire Maxfield, won nicely at the first question during a first auction race at Colonial Downs in early July. But after taking an early lead in the Dover Stakes at Delaware Park, he backed up and finished fifth of six. Then he was never much involved on the synthetic plate at Presque Isle Downs as he finished sixth in the Fitz Dixon, Jr. Memorial Stakes.

“In Delaware he didn’t like that song, I don’t think. It was a little deeper than he was used to,” Sillaman said. “And then, on the synthetic, he ran a little green there.”

However, there are no such problems today.

After the somewhat lethargic start, Max Capacity surged into the lead, building a two-length lead after a quarter mile in 22.62 seconds, with Charles Town shipper Irish Jubalee his nearest pursuer.

Max Capacity maintained a similar advantage the rest of the way, eventually stopping the timer at 1:04.82 for 5 ½ furlongs. Blue Forty Two rallied for second place, another one and a half lengths ahead of Mr. Supreme. Post-time favorite Hell Ofa Hillbilly was unsettled before the race, having a difficult journey and finishing fifth.

Max Capacity paid $24.20 to win. The exacta returned $60.80 for a one dollar bet.

Sillaman and partners picked up Max Capacity for $38,000 from the Ocala Breeders Sales sale in April. Sire Maxfield was a Grade 1 winner of more than $2 million.

Max Capacity is the first foal from the unraced Uncaptured mare Madam Mom but comes from a productive female family. Second dam Unlimited Pleasure is the dam of three stakes winners, and third dam Cricket Box has produced two stakes winners.

“The production line on the mare side is incredible, just perfect,” said Sillaman. “And I buy a lot of first-year bulls and try to be lucky that way.”

Sillaman said the ownership group – Harbordale Stable, LBR Racing Stable and Michael Schmidt – placed Max Capacity in a digital sale after its first score. But the highest bid for the colt did not meet their $200,000 reserve. “We didn’t make it, but we came close,” said the coach.

He is now 2-for-4 with earnings of over $66,000.

Looking ahead, Sillaman said a return to equities is on the horizon for Max Capacity. Laurel’s next commitment for two-year-olds is in two weeks – probably too early – but the Sillaman stable also winters at Tampa Bay Downs.

In the meantime, he thoroughly enjoyed the moment when Max Capacity showcased the talent he had always believed was there.

“I know he has the talent,” Sillaman said. “We just have to get it all together.”