Silver State recorded his third-straight win – and notched his first Stakes victory – when edging Hunka Burning Love by a nose to take the Listed Fifth Season Stakes at Oaklawn Park Jan. 23.
Making his 2021 debut, the four-year-old Hard Spun colt was settled into fourth early behind Hunka Burning Love, who shot straight to the lead right out of the starting gate.
Silver State moved into third going into the far turn, then drew on even terms with longtime leader Hunka Burning Love at the top of the lane. The pair battled the length of the stretch with Silver State finally prevailing at the wire by a determined nose.
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.
Silver State became the second Stakes winner of the weekend for his sire at Oaklawn Park. He joined Caddo River, who took the Listed Smarty Jones Stakes the previous day.
Hard Spun has sired over 80 career Black Type winners. In 2020, Hard Spun sired such standouts as Antoinette, winner of the $500,000 Saratoga Oaks Invitational; Black Ops, winner of the Budweiser Special Handicap; Spinoff, winner of Saratoga’s Alydar Stakes and G2-winning filly, Hard Not to Love.
Hard Spun will stand the 2021 breeding season at Jonabell Farm in Kentucky for $35,000 stands and nurses.
