Max Ciao swept past the leaders on the far turn and took command at the top of the stretch on his way to powering to a six-and-a-quarter length victory in a maiden special weight contest at Del Mar on Friday, August 8.
With that victory, the dark bay or brown colt became the sixth winner for his exciting freshman sire, Maxfield. Max Ciao was making his third start, having finished third in his debut (at 4.5 furlongs) and fourth (going five furlongs) in his second start. Obviously appreciating the longer distance of this contest, Max Ciao raced in third, just behind the early pacesetters Tommy Norris and Moonshiner.
Making a bold move while racing three-wide on the far turn, Max Ciao swept past the leading pair and took command at the top of the stretch. He continued to draw off through the lane, eventually crossing the wire an easy winner.
Bred in California by Terry Lovingier and raced by Lovingier in partnership with John Moroney and trainer Steve Knapp, Max Ciao is out of the multiple Stakes-placed mare, Bella Ciao (by Flatter) and hails from the family of G2 Alcibiades winner, Terra Incognita, and multiple Stakes winner, Love That Jazz.
One of North America's top freshman sires this year, Maxfield is also the sire of an additional five maiden special weight winners from coast to coast: Just Asap (Ellis Park), Rock It Rob (Saratoga), Lilies N Paradise (Churchill Downs), Max Capacity (Colonial Downs) and Pietra Preciosa (Horseshoe Indianapolis).
