Silent Tactic

Silent Tactic began his career with two starts on Woodbine's all-weather surface as a 2-year-old in 2025 including a win at first asking on Oct. 10 and a second-place finish in his second start in the Grade 3 bet365 Grey Stakes. He showed even more ability in his third start upon a switch to a dirt track with another runner-up finish in the $250,000 Smarty Jones Stakes going 1 1/16 miles at Oaklawn in his 3-year-old debut on Jan. 3, 2026. The Smarty Jones was a points race on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, and with his second-place finish in an eight-horse field, Silent Tactic earned five qualifying points.

The bay colt remained on the Oaklawn path to the Derby for his next start in the $1 million Southwest Stakes Feb. 6. He charged from 11th in the 12-horse field to win by 3 1/4 lengths under Cristian Torres and earn 20 points toward qualifying for the Kentucky Derby and in good shape for February with 25 points total.

Trainer Mark Casse brought Silent Tactic back for Oaklawn’s next Kentucky Derby prep, the March 1, $1 million Rebel Stakes, and once again he rallied from off the pace for a driving finish, coming up a nose short of Class President and earning 25 more Kentucky Derby points.

Silent Tactic returned to Oaklawn for the meet's premier race in the $1.5 million Grade 1 Arkansas Derby going 1 1/8 miles on March 28. Sent off as the 3.60-1 second choice in an eight-horse field in the Arkansas Derby, Silent Tactic finished second to favored Renegade by four lengths. He earned another 50 Kentucky Derby qualifying points and secured his spot in the Kentucky Derby starting gate.

Silent Tactic became the first stakes winner for his sire, Tacitus, in the Southwest Stakes. He is the first starter produced by the Gun Runner mare Magical Sign.