Silent Rule, the winningest undefeated active Thoroughbred in the U.S., ran her record to 10-for-10 on Thursday.
After bobbling out of the gate, she accelerated six wide through the turn to a 2 3/4-length win in the $100,000 Best of Ohio Honey Jay Stakes, a six-furlong sprint at Thistledown for state-breds 3 and up.
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Coming off a two-month break, the 4-year-old Street Boss filly won for the second time going against males. It was Silent Rule’s fourth stakes win, all coming against Ohio-breds.
?? SILENT RULE ($3.60) remains undefeated, 10/10 after defeating the boys in the $100,000 Best of Ohio Honey Jay Stakes at @JACKThistledown. Brandon Tapara was up for trainer Jay Bernardini and owner John Hoctel.
Bet Thistledown with @FanDuel Racing. https://t.co/8HN1ZcHZyi pic.twitter.com/MwjYDSopJj
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Usually sent straight to the lead, Silent Rule (4-5) rated the pace this time after her slow start. Her regular jockey Brandon Tapara had her fourth in the field of nine while long shot Diamond Dust (17-1) established early fractions of 22.17 and 45.33 on the sunbaked, fast main track.
“That was kind of the strategy,” trainer Jay Bernardini said. “We knew there was a couple in there that were going to try and gas a little bit. All the rest was her.”
Silent Rule took the lead early in the homestretch, led the field through five-eighths of a mile in 57.80 seconds and ran on to win with a time of 1:10.25. Diamond Dust held on for second, and Stage Name (8-1) was third.
Asked how he got Silent Rule to find her next gear in the turn, Tapara said he told her, “Vámonos.” He went to the right hand in the stretch to bring her home a winner once again.
Silent Rule, who paid $3.60 to win, earned $60,000 on Thursday to run her career total to $355,456.
“She’s paid her way,” owner John Hoctel said. “Believe me.”
Acquired privately, Silent Rule is being aimed toward the $75,000 Michael G. Mackey Memorial Angenora Stakes for Ohio-bred fillies and mares. The Sept. 4 race will be run over the same six furlongs at Thistledown over which she won Thursday for the fourth time.
“We don’t think two races ahead, but we did have that in the back of our minds,” Bernardini said. “With a little bit of God’s blessing and a little bit more good luck and good health, we’ll see you guys in three weeks.”
