In a performance that might signal a changing of the guard in the Buckeye State’s distaff ranks, Silent Rule bested reigning Ohio-bred horse of the year Generous Lover by four lengths in the $100,000 Best of Ohio Diana Stakes on Friday’s state showcase card at Belterra Park in Cincinnati.

Silent Rule ($3) remained unbeaten in nine career starts with her victory in the Diana, at six furlongs for fillies and mares, against Generous Lover, who was named Ohio’s horse of the year for her multiple stakes-winning campaign in 2024. That mare was coming off a strong runner-up effort against open allowance company on Kentucky Derby weekend, finishing second to graded stakes winner Lemon Muffin.

Bred by Joe Cowles’ T/C Stable LLC and raised at Gunston Hall Farm, Silent Rule was sold by Legacy Bloodstock at the 2022 Keeneland September sale. She’s now earned $295,456.

Meanwhile, Silent Rule, who is trained by Jay Bernardini for John Hoctel, had been developing in the background. She won her stakes debut in last fall’s First Lady Stakes at Mahoning Valley with front-running tactics. However, she showed a different dimension when winning the J. William Petro Memorial on May 8 at Thistledown in her prep for the Best of Ohio, making a four-wide move to rally to a widening lead.

Silent Rule, with Brandon Tapara in the irons, immediately bounced out to the lead through a sharp quarter in 21.42 seconds on a main track rated fast. Generous Lover, well-held early to sit on that one’s flank, began to come under pressure from her rider entering the far turn.

Silent Rule led by 1 1/2 lengths through the half in 44.63 seconds. She was shaken up down the lane but remained full of run to the wire. After Generous Lover, it was 10 1/2 lengths back in third to another Legacy Bloodstock Keeneland September grad, Midnight Wonder. The time for the six furlongs was 1:11.33.

-edited from www.drf.com