The Steve Asmussen-trained SILVER STATE runner Zilarro was a winner in his second start with a Maiden Special Weight victory at Sam Houston on Friday.
A $100,000 yearling, Zilarro was one of the first out of the gate in the one-mile dirt race and never gave up the lead. He had to deal with pressure throughout the run, but no one could mount a successful challenge in the early running.
Having a clear lead coming into the stretch, he was kept to his task throughout the closing stages by Stewart Elliott. There was only one horse within nearly five lengths of him at the line when he won by two lengths to finish in the top two in each of his first two starts.
The 3-year-old bred by Winchell Thoroughbreds is raced by Ben Gase, who was also his yearling purchaser.
Zilarro is the fourth stakes performer out of Time to Tap. That full sister to champion Untapable is also the dam of stakes winner and graded stakes placed Dimatic, Grade 1 placed Dreamlike, and stakes placed Backflash.
Time to Tap is also a half-sister to Grade 1 winner Paddy O’Prado with her sisters producing horses such as Grade 2 winner Red Route One, Grade 3 winner Majestic Eagle, and stakes winner Red Run. This is also the family of Grade 2 winner and Grade 1-placed Early Flyer.
A winner of the stallion making Metropolitan H. (G1), SILVER STATE stands for $7,500 in 2026.