Silent Tactic withdraws from the Preakness, a race that continues to lose its luster

Ignored by the best colts of the generation, the second leg of the Triple Crown in the United States is becoming devoid of star power

LAUREL, Maryland (Special for Turf Diario).— The Preakness Stakes (G1) added another significant withdrawal this Monday morning, confirming the trend of a field arriving decimated for the second gem of the Triple Crown. Silent Tactic, the consistent son of Tacitus defending the silks of John Oxley, will not be part of the lineup at Laurel Parkafter failing to fully satisfy his trainer, Mark Casse, in the hours leading up to the entry.

The bay, who has not finished below second place in his 6 starts, had earned a respected position within the generation following his impact in the Southwest Stakes (G3) and his meritorious second-place finishes in the Rebel Stakes (G2) and the Arkansas Derby (G1). However, his path to glory was first cut short at Churchill Downs, where he was scratched from the Kentucky Derby (G1) due to a minor hoof issue, and now in Maryland, as sensitivity in the area persists.

"I am not one hundred percent satisfied," Casse stated, as reported by Dave Grening of Daily Racing Form. With the horse's health as the priority, the team decided to postpone his return to competition, leaving the Preakness without another of the names that promised to enliven the scoreboard.

The desertion of Silent Tactic generated an immediate movement in the jockey market. Irad Ortiz, Jr., who already had the commitment to ride Casse's pupil after his brilliant second-place finish in the Derby with Renegade (Into Mischief), will not be left without a mount.

The leader of the statistics will now climb aboard Talkin, a son of Good Magic who boasts two G1 placements and is trained by Danny Gargan.

With this withdrawal, next Saturday's Preakness Stakes is shaping up as a race of opportunities for those horses seeking their first major stakes impact, in a scenario where the absence of top-tier references—such as Derby winner Golden Tempo (Curlin) and now Silent Tactic—has left the path clear for surprises.