Silver State charged through an opening on the rail on his way to winning the historic G1 Metropolitan Handicap at Belmont Park June 5.
It was the first G1 victory for the four-year-old Hard Spun colt, who has now won six straight races (four of them Stakes). The victory also earned Silver State an automatic berth in the 2021 G1 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile at Del Mar.
Breaking alertly under regular rider Ricardo Santana, Jr., Silver State was content to settle into third behind pacesetter Knicks Go through the early stages of the eight-furlong contest. As the field swept through the far turn and hit the top of the stretch, Silver State took advantage of an opening along the inside rail to take the lead. He continued to dig in while under a drive in the stretch, easily holding off the late bid of By My Standards to post a one-length victory.
Bred in Kentucky by Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings LLC, Silver State is out of the mare Supreme, a Stakes-winning daughter of Empire Maker. Silver State hails from the immediate female family of G1 Kentucky Derby winner Monarchos.
Hard Spun is the sire of over 80 career Black Type winners. In addition to Silver State, Hard Spun is represented by 2021 Stakes winners Antoinette (G3 The Very One Stakes), Caddo River (Listed Smarty Jones Stakes) and Summer in Saratoga (Tom Benson Memorial Stakes).
Hard Spun is standing the 2021 breeding season at Jonabell Farm for $35,000, stands and nurses.
