I have tried Later, Mound, Civic - which I know that last word is far from optimal as it has a double C and I, but still it was what came to mind at the time.
later, mound, spicy might be better than later, mound, civic.
[later] letters removed: 4117. letters in position removed: 1033
[mound] letters removed: 2348. letters in position removed: 851
[civic] letters removed: 1244. letters in position removed: 638
letters removed total: 7709. letters in pos rem tot: 2522
Good 4th words: pushy, showy hasty
[later] letters removed: 4117. letters in position removed: 1033
[mound] letters removed: 2348. letters in position removed: 851
[spicy] letters removed: 2476. letters in position removed: 1209
letters removed total: 8941. letters in pos rem tot: 3093
Good 4th words: bough, whack, ought
I start with Later, 99% of the time. I almost always play hard mode which doesn't allow for my combo above, but when I feel a corridor coming on, I abandon hard mode to try to rule out letter.
BTW, I got today's in 4.
cd : O)
Can't argue with success! According to SGOTI that did a
youtube video with statistical/analytical analysis (above my head), [crane] was supposed to supply the most information if you were playing hard mode. My analysis optimizes on three independent starter words, then making your first solution word on the 4th try.