Silver State makes it four straight with Essex triumph

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - Silver State held off a fast-closing Rated R Superstar to win his fourth consecutive race in the $500,000 Essex Handicap on Saturday at Oaklawn Park.

It was another 1 3/4 lengths back in third to Night Ops.

The Essex, which was run over 1 1/16 miles, was one of five stakes on a card headed by the Grade 2, $1 million Rebel.

Silver State ($4.40) settled off the pace as Harpers First Ride and Green Light Go battled through fractions of 23.57 seconds for the opening quarter, 47.67 for the half-mile and 1:12.22 for six furlongs. Silver State advanced, took the lead in the stretch, and covered the distance on a fast track in 1:42.73 to win by a neck.

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“I thought he ran his race, just like he always does,” said Willis Horton, who co-owns Silver State with Winchell Thoroughbreds. “He just keeps getting better.”

Silver State began his streak with an allowance win last October at Keeneland. He won another allowance in November at Churchill Downs, then captured the $150,000 Fifth Season at Oaklawn in his 4-year-old debut Jan. 23. Ricardo Santana Jr., has been aboard for all of those wins for trainer Steve Asmussen.

Silver State is a son of Hard Spun. He has now won 5 of 9 starts and the $300,000 first-place check from Saturday pushes his earnings to $630,094.
The Essex is the local steppingstone to the Grade 2, $1 million Oaklawn Handicap.

Tax, who was highweighted at 120 pounds, was scratched from the Essex after sustaining a small puncture wound following morning training Friday.

Horton, who is a resident of Arkansas, has two additional stakes wins this meet. They have come with Kentucky Oaks hopeful Will’s Secret. She’s captured the Martha Washington and the Grade 3 Honeybee.