Silver Max, Za Approval Lead River City Nominations

 

Mark Bacon and Dana Wells’ Silver Max and Live Oak Plantation’s Za Approval head a proven cast of 30 horses nominated to the $100,000-added River City Handicap (GIII) on Saturday, Nov. 8 at Churchill Downs going 1 1/8 miles on the turf.

 

Trained by Dale Romans, Silver Max is best known for handing two-time Champion Horse of the Year Wise Dan his only loss in the last two years, when he upset the Champion in the 2013 Shadwell Turf Mile (GI) at Keeneland, a race that was moved to the Polytrack and run at the distance of 1 1/16 miles due to extreme weather. Most recently, Silver Max finished fifth in the 2014 edition of the Shadwell Turf Mile, a race won by Wise Dan. The 5-year-old son of Badge of Silver has won 12 of 26 starts and earned $1,953,598.

 

Also nominated for Romans is Michael J. Bruder’s Guys Reward, a 7-year-old Grade II winner and earner of $789,619.

 

Za Approval, trained by Christophe Clemente, won the $98,000 Real Courage at Belmont in his last start on Sept. 7. He has won eight of 22 starts and banked $1,165,071.

 

Another notable nominee is Augustin Stable’s Holiday Star, who is coming off a half-length victory in the Sycamore (GIII) on Oct. 16 at Keeneland. The 4-year-old gelding trained by Graham Motion has earned $198,603 and won four of 13 starts.

 

Motion has five others nominated to the River City in Stud Golconda’s Alakazan Alakazan-BRZ, My Meadowview Farm’s Buck Benny, OTI Racing and Earle I. Mack LLC’s Manighar-FR, West Point Thoroughbreds LLC’s Tattenham and Live Oak Plantation’s Under Control-BRZ.

 

August Dawn Farm’s Saratoga Snacks is another nominee of note. Trained by Hall of Fame conditioner Bill Mott, Saratoga Snacks would be trying the turf for the first time should he enter in the River City. The 5-year-old son of Tale of the Cat has won eight of 17 starts and earnings of $503,100.

 

Source: Churchill Downs Communications