Max Capacity wasn’t the quickest out of the gate in Sunday’s sixth race allowance at Laurel Park.

But he had thoroughly seized control soon thereafter and was never really challenged en route to a 1 ½-length victory under jockey Jevian Toledo.

“He’s always trained like a nice horse,” said winning trainer and part-owner Rick Sillaman. “That’s why I ran him in a couple of stakes races.”

About that: Max Capacity, a son of first-crop sire Maxfield, won nicely at first asking in a maiden auction race at Colonial Downs in early July. But after leading early in the Dover Stakes at Delaware Park, he backed up to finish fifth of six. Then on the synthetic at Presque Isle Downs, he was never much involved when finishing sixth in the Fitz Dixon, Jr. Memorial Stakes.

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

No such issues today, however.

After the slightly lethargic start, Max Capacity jetted to the lead, establishing a two-length advantage following 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, ultimately stopping the timer in 1:04.82 for 5 ½ furlongs. Blue Forty Two rallied for second, another length-and-a-half clear of Mr. Supreme. Post time favorite Hell Ofa Hillbilly was restless before the race, had a troubled trip, and finished fifth.

Max Capacity paid $24.20 to win. The exacta returned $60,80 for a one-dollar wager.

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

Max Capacity is the first foal out of 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 gave birth to two stakes winners.

“The production line on the mare side is unbelievable, just perfect,” Sillaman said. “And I buy a lot of first crop sires and try to get lucky that way.”

Sillaman said that the ownership group – Harbordale Stable, LBR Racing Stable and Michael Schmidt – had put Max Capacity in a digital sale after his maiden score. But the top bid on the colt did not meet their $200,000 reserve. “We didn’t get it, but we got close to it,” the trainer said.

He’s now 2-for-4 with earnings of more than $66,000.

As for the future, Sillaman said a return to stakes company may be in the offing for Max Capacity. Laurel’s next stake for two-year-olds is in two weeks – likely too soon – but the Sillaman barn winters at Tampa Bay Downs, as well.

Meanwhile, he was happy to enjoy the moment as Max Capacity showcased the talent he’d always believed was there.

“I know he’s got the talent,” Sillaman said. “We just have to put it all together.”