Silent Tactic: Post 10; Morning Line: 10-1
Trainer: Mark Casse; Jockey: Luis Saez
Monday, August 24, 2026
Silent Tactic was bred in Kentucky by Don Alberto Corporation and initially sold as a yearling for $60,000 before the hammer fell at $500,000 as a 2-year-old in training at the OBS Spring Sale. Owned primarily by John C. Oxley (with a 50% interest sold to Victoriam Racing early this month for $1.5 million), he has shown to be nothing if not consistent, having never finished worse than third in seven career starts.
After starting out over Woodbine’s synthetic surface, he made his dirt debut at Oaklawn Park and was second in the Smarty Jones Stakes, then won the Southwest Stakes (G3) by 3¼ lengths. He followed with narrow seconds in the Rebel Stakes (G2) and Arkansas Derby (G1), but was forced off the Triple Crown trail due to a foot issue.
He returned to action with a third in the Jim Dandy (G1) three weeks ago.
“He’s really happy now. He’s doing well,” Casse said. “There was no way he could have been 100 percent for the Jim Dandy. I would say he was probably 90 percent. If he can move up five percent or so, it’s going to put him in the mix. I’m excited to watch him run.”
“It can’t be any tougher. Of course, you’re bringing the Kentucky Derby winner in, but they’re all about the same category, give or take a little. And he’s right there with them. We just need a good trip.”
Silent Tactic is a consistent late runner/deep closer though has shown some tactical ability when needed. With that said, his best trip is settling well off the pace and most often near the back or toward the rear, conserving energy before unleashing a strong late run.
His outside post isn’t ideal despite his later running style, and he needs the right pace setup. He also must fully prove he belongs at this Grade 1 level and at this distance after the foot issues and layoff.
Casse has mentioned that the colt owns roughly a quarter- to 5/16-mile run in him and that he can’t be asked for run from his jockey too early. His breezes may be ordinary, but don’t be fooled.
“He breezes like a $25,000 claimer,” Casse said. “He always has, but he runs like a Grade 1 horse.”
His pedigree supports that he can easily get the 1 ¼-mile distance. Tacitus placed in the Travers and other classic-distance races during his career. His dam side has classic influences, and she is a young very well-bred daughter of Gun Runner. And he has experience at Saratoga and against several of these rivals.
At 10-1 (or higher if the public piles onto Golden Tempo and Renegade), he offers great odds for a horse who has been competitive against the top of the division and has the right running style with expected improvement. He is obviously a strong underneath candidate in exactas, trifectas, and superfectas.
-- US Racing Team
The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.
