Silent Rule puts her 9-for-9 record on the line at Thistledown
Silent Rule, the winningest undefeated U.S. Thoroughbred currently in training, has been cross-entered into two $100,000 stakes for Ohio-breds on Thursday at Thistledown.
In search of her 10th win, the 4-year-old Street Boss filly owned by John and Linda Hoctel will race on Best of Ohio day. She will go either against males in the six-furlong Honey Jay or against fillies and mares in the 1 1/8-mile Pay the Man. Both races are for 3-year-olds and up. Either way, Brandon Tapara has the ride as usual.
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“Leaning towards the sprint,” trainer Jay Bernardini said in a text message. “She’s set and ready for Thursday. Excited the races are here.”
In the Honey Jay, Silent Rule would face older males like three-time stakes victor Empire’s Fire and defending winner Stage Name. Three-year-old gelding Boots Malone, who has a stakes triumph in his past performances, is also in the field of nine for the 12:50 p.m. EDT opener.
If she goes in the Pay the Man, Silent Rule would be rematched against Generous Lover. The 5-year-old mare finished second June 6 at Belterra Park in the six-furlong, $100,000 Diana Stakes, another state-bred stakes in the Best of Ohio series. That was the last time Silent Rule raced. The Pay the Man is the third race Friday with a 1:50 p.m. EDT post time.
Either way, Bernardini pronounced her ready Saturday.
“She’s fresh, sound and fit,” he said. “Hoping for some continued good fortune and trying to keep her streak going. It’s very exciting.”
On the way to her 9-for-9 record, Silent Rule has won eight times in sprints and eight times against her gender. One exception came Dec. 17 at Mahoning Valley, where she prevailed by 3 1/2 lengths in a six-furlong, $36,200 allowance against males who were non-winners of four. The other was two starts ago May 8 at Thistledown, where she won by 3 3/4 lengths going 1 1/16 miles against fillies and mares in the $75,000 J. William Petro Memorial.
Based at Bernardini’s Mountaineer stable, Silent Rule has a best Beyer Speed Figure of 99, according to Daily Racing Form, and a top Brisnet Speed Rating of 104. They came out of her 11-length runaway three starts ago in the muddy running of a $40,900 weight-for-age allowance sprint for state-bred fillies and mares at Mahoning.
Silent Rule has had two timed workouts since that victory, both bullets at Mountaineer. She followed a 47.2-second, half-mile drill July 4 with a 1:01.4, five-furlong breeze July 23. Bernardini does not put Silent Rule through frequent timed works.
Bred by T/C Stable, Silent Rule is out of Candy Ride mare Modern Lady. She was bought as a yearling for $16,000 by David Wolochuk and was transferred privately to the Hoctels in 2023.