Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Silent Tactic

A powerful rally from off the pace carried Silent Tactic to a decisive win in the Southwest (G3) on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.

Silent Tactic’s stretch-running style is reminiscent of his sire, Tacitus. Tacitus fell short in his bid for Kentucky Derby (G1) glory, but perhaps Silent Tactic—the first stakes winner sired by Tacitus—has the talent to rise higher.

Tacitus won three of his first four starts, including the Tampa Bay Derby (G2) and Wood Memorial (G2) on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. He started as the 5-1 third choice in the 2019 Kentucky Derby, racing 1 1/4 miles, and pretty much ran to expectations, closing from 16th place to cross the wire in fourth place. He was upgraded to third via the disqualification of preliminary winner Maximum Security, who caused interference.

Unfortunately for Tacitus, the Kentucky Derby was the first in a string of frustrating defeats at the Grade 1 level. There’s no doubt he was a Grade 1-caliber runner over classic distances on dirt; by the time Tacitus retired, he’d recorded top-three finishes in the 1 1/2-mile Belmont (G1), 1 1/4-mile Travers (G1), 1 1/4-mile Woodward H. (G1), and two editions of the 1 1/4-mile Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1). But he never did manage to win at the Grade 1 level, instead scoring his greatest triumph in the 1 1/4-mile Suburban (G2).

It’s easy to find the source of Tacitus’ classic stamina. He’s a son of three-time leading North American sire Tapit (who has sired Belmont winners Tonalist, Creator, Tapwrit, and Essential Quality) out of Close Hatches, a five-time Grade 1-winning route racer voted 2014 champion older female at the Eclipse Awards. This makes Tacitus a full-brother to 1 1/8-mile Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) winner Scylla and 1 1/8-mile Ohio Derby (G3) conqueror Batten Down.

The bottom half of Silent Tactic’s pedigree also offers potential for success over classic distances.

Silent Tactic is the first foal produced by Magical Sign, a stoutly bred daughter of Gun Runner. Magical Sign failed to factor in her only race, finishing fifth in a one-mile maiden special weight on turf at Santa Anita. But her pedigree is packed with class and stamina, which she appears to have passed on to Silent Tactic.

Magical Sign’s dam, Gun Runner, needs no introduction. The third-place finisher from the 2016 Kentucky Derby matured into a six-time Grade 1 winner over distances from 1 1/8 miles to 1 1/4 miles. In 2017, he won four Grade 1 races in a row—including the 1 1/4-mile Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1)—on his way to winning Horse of the Year honors. At stud, he’s sired a bevy of Grade 1 winners over a variety of distances; his best route racers include Breeders’ Cup Classic hero Sierra Leone, 1 3/16-mile Preakness (G1) winner Early Voting, and 1 1/4-mile Sant Anita H. (G1) conqueror Locked.

Magical Sign’s dam is Malvinia, a daughter of A.P. Indy. Malvinia failed to win in five starts, but she’s fared better as a broodmare. Her most accomplished foal to date is Moraz, a participant in the 2021 Kentucky Oaks (G1) and a top-three finisher in the 1 1/16-mile Santa Anita Oaks (G2), 1 1/16-mile Santa Ysabel (G3), and one-mile Las Virgenes (G3).

Unsurprisingly, Malvinia produced a graded stakes-caliber route racer. After all, she’s a daughter of one of the most renowned sources of stamina in modern pedigrees. A.P. Indy earned 1992 Horse of the Year honors after winning the Belmont, Breeders’ Cup Classic, and 1 1/8-mile Santa Anita Derby (G1).

At stud, A.P. Indy carved out an illustrious career. His best runners were almost exclusively router racers, led by 2003 Horse of the Year Mineshaft, champion and Preakness winner Bernardini, and champion and Belmont winner Rags to Riches. His record as a broodmare sire has been similarly impressive; his daughters have foaled Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver, Preakness winner Cloud Computing, 1 1/4-mile Dubai World Cup (G1) winner Mystic Guide, and 1 1/8-mile Kentucky Oaks winners Malathaat and Plum Pretty, to name a select few.

Taking all of these pedigree elements together, it’s clear that Silent Tactic is bred to shine racing classic distances on dirt. It’s possible his pedigree is a little light on speed (which is often a key component in the pedigree of Kentucky Derby winners), and that’s reflected in his late-running style. But if the 2026 Kentucky Derby turns into a test of stamina, Silent Tactic should not be found wanting.