Asmussen trying to turn two pieces of silver into Oaklawn Handicap gold

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Silver State has emerged as one of the top older horses this meet at Oaklawn Park and on Saturday will be seeking his fifth straight win when he chases after the track’s richest offering for his division, the Grade 2, $1 million Oaklawn Handicap.

Silver State has won his last four races in a streak that includes the $150,000 Fifth Season on Jan. 23 and the $500,000 Essex on March 13, both route races at Oaklawn. His current run started in an October allowance at Keeneland, with all of the wins coming under Ricardo Santana Jr.

“He’s run some amazing races and this is just an extremely good opportunity in the [Oaklawn] Handicap,” said Steve Asmussen, who trains Silver State for Winchell Thoroughbreds and Willis Horton. “I’m very pleased with how he’s trained since the Essex.”

Silver State worked five-eighths at Oaklawn in a sharp 1:00.40 on April 5 and had his final prep Monday, breezing a half-mile in 50 seconds.

Oaklawn’s series for older horses includes the Grade 3 Razorback Handicap, which on Feb. 27 was won by eventual Dubai World Cup hero Mystic Guide. Silver Prospector, also trained by Asmussen. was second in the race and will make his next start in the Oaklawn Handicap.

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“Not a bad horse to chase in – the highest rated horse in the world right now,” Asmussen said. “We know [Silver Prospector] likes Oaklawn.”

Silver Prospector won last year’s Grade 3 Southwest at Oaklawn for owners Ed and Susie Orr.

Asmussen, who leads the trainer standings at Oaklawn, has won three of the six stakes run so far during this meet’s Racing Festival of the South. The $4.9 million series closes Saturday with the Oaklawn Handicap and the Grade 1, $1 million Apple Blossom.

Asmussen said Another Broad is being pointed for the Apple Blossom.

Asmussen-trained festival winners this meet are Super Stock in the Grade 1, $1 million Arkansas Derby; Pauline’s Pearl in the Grade 3, $600,000 Fantasy; and Abrogate in the $200,000 Purple Martin.

Outside of the festival, the final major race of the meet is the $300,000 Oaklawn Invitational on May 1. Scarred is possible for that race, Asmussen said. The 1 1/8-mile stakes is for 3-year-olds. Scarred is a son of Into Mischief who is coming off a sharp allowance win at Oaklawn.