Silver State (Hard Spun) and jockey Ricardo Santana Jr. win the Metropolitan Mile (I) at Belmont Park 6/5/21. Trainer: Steve Asmussen. Owner: Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC & Willis Horton Racing LLC
Silver State stalked the pace set by favorite Knicks Go and then pulled away to a one-length victory over a surging By My Standards in Saturday’s Grade 1 Metropolitan Handicap. Trained by Steve Asmussen and ridden by Ricardo Santana, Silver State’s Met Mile is now qualified for the Breeder’s Cup Mile at Del Mar this fall.
A 4-year-old son of Hard Spun, Silver State followed up his most recent win in the Grade 2 Oaklawn Handicap with this G1 winning performance over By My Standards, and Mischevious Alex, with Knicks Go finishing fourth. Knicks Go got away from the starting gate in the lead, setting the pace for the first three-quarters of a mile. Running :23.36 for the first quarter and :46.31 for the half mile, Joel Rosario and Knicks Go controlled the race throughout, but were unable to hold off Silver State. Santana kept his mount on the rail and made their bid for the lead as the field entered the stretch. Silver State was able to outrun a surging Mischevious Alex and By My Stands.
The G1 Metropolitan is a Breeder’s Cup Win and You’re In race for the Breeder’s Cup Dirt Mile. Breeders’ Cup will pay the entry fees and guarantee a starting position in a corresponding Championships race for all Challenge Series race winners. In addition, Breeders’ Cup will provide a $40,000 travel allowance to the connections of all Championship starters from outside of North America and a $10,000 travel allowance for starters within North America that are stabled outside of California.
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