John Oxley’s Silent Tactic (Tacitus-Magical Sign, by Gun Runner) roared late to capture the $1 million Southwest Stakes (G3) Feb. 6 at Oaklawn Park, putting himself on the Kentucky Derby trail and leading the slate of stakes-winning OBS graduates for the week.
Ridden by Cristian Torres and trained by dual Hall of Famer Mark Casse, Silent Tactic led a sweep of the top three places by OBS grads when he finished 3 ¼ lengths ahead of Solider N Diplomat with Buetane a head farther back in third. He collected 20 Kentucky Derby qualifying points in the Southwest and has 25 points overall. Silent Tactic, a son of Tacitus, also became the first graded stakes winner for his sire.
“He wanted to go and I just waited a little bit longer,” Torres told Oaklawn Park publicity. “I knew when I got him clear he was going to fire for me. Good horse, Hopefully, he’s going to keep improving. The more distance the better, I think.”
Silent Tactic was purchased by Justin Casse for $500,000 at the 2025 OBS April Sale from the Thorostock consignment after breezing in :10 1/5.
At Santa Anita Park Feb. 7, El Potente (Temple City – Charmsil, by Silver Charm) won the Grade 3, $100,000 Thunder Road Stakes for the second year in a row when rolling to a front-running victory.
Trained by Dan Blacker, El Potente is owned by My Way Racing LLC and was purchased by McMahon and Hill Bloodstock, agent for $35,000 out of the Nice and Easy Thoroughbreds consignment at the 2021 OBS June Sale after breezing in :10 1/5.
The Feb. 7 card at Santa Anita also saw Light Won Up (City of Light-Factorofwon, by The Factor) roll to a 2 ¾-length victory in the $100,000 Sweet Life Stakes.
Trained by Doug O’Neill, the filly by City of Light bested fellow OBS grad Himika, who was making her turf debut. Light Won Up is owned by Purple Rein Racing and Mark D. Davis. She was purchased by her owners for $265,000 at last year’s OBS March Sale from the Top Line Sales consignment after breezing in :10 1/5.
At Tampa Bay Downs Feb. 7, Florida-bred stalwart Mystic Lake (Mo Town – Salty Soul, by Itsmyluckyday) broke on top and turned her speed up a notch after being headed briefly on the turn for home, powering to a 7 ½-length victory in the $125,000 Minaret Stakes.
Now 12-for-22 lifetime, Mystic Lake improved her career bankroll to $1,537,517. She is owned by Miller Racing, BAG Racing Stables and Stefania Farms and trained by Saffie Joseph, Jr. She is a two-time OBS graduate, sold by Summerfield (Francis & Barbara Vanlangendonck), Agent, at the 2022 October Yearling Sale and then purchased for $130,000 out of the Tom McCrocklin consignment at the 2023 March Sale after breezing in :20 4/5.
At Turfway Park Feb. 7, BSF Equine Athlete’s Coco Connect (Connect-Miss Chanel, by Commissioner) notched her first career stakes victory when she defeated five rivals by a half-length in the $125,000 Valdale Stakes.
Trained by John Ennis, Coco Connect was purchased by Jeremiah O’Dwyer, agent at the 2025 OBS March Sale for $150,000 from the Wildheart Thoroughbreds consignment after breezing in :21.
On Feb. 8 at Oaklawn Park, heavily favored Roll On Big Joe (Prospective – Nina’s Gift, by Victory Gallop) carried his razor-sharp form into 2026, scoring a half-length victory over Tejano Twist in the $150,000 King Cotton Stakes.
The King Cotton was the fifth career stakes victory and third consecutive for Roll On Big Joe, owned by Rancho Temescal LLC, Rancho Temescal Thoroughbred Partners, White Fence LLC and Richard Hale Jr. All five stakes victories have come in the last year, including the $150,000 Ring the Bell Dec. 13 at Oaklawn to conclude his 2025 campaign.
Trained by Bob Hess Jr., Roll On Big Joe was purchased by Southern California-based owner Tim Cohen (Rancho Temescal) for $90,000 at the 2022 OBS June Sale from the Gayle Woods consignment after breezing in :10 flat.
At Santa Anita on Feb. 8, Jim Daniell’s Yellow Card (Lost Treasure (IRE)-Paris Girl, by Pulpit) closed to win the $100,000 Clockers’ Corner Stakes.
Trained by Michael McCarthy, Yellow Card earned his first stakes win. He was purchased by West Bloodstock at the 2023 OBS April Sale for $87,000 from the Little Farm Equine consignment after breezing in :10 flat.
At Oaklawn Park on Feb. 6, T.C. Stables and Hickory Stables’ Mackman (Union Rags-Silverpocketsfull, by Indian Charlie) earned his first stakes victory when he captured the $135,000 General MacArthur Overnight Stakes. Trained by Matt Shirer, Mackman was purchased by his owners for $160,000 at the 2022 OBS April Sale from the Mayberry Farm consignment after breezing in :10 1/5.