Silent Tactic is scratched from Kentucky Derby 2026

Silent Tactic was scratched from Kentucky Derby 2026 because of a bruised foot, trainer Mark Casse confirmed to Horse Racing Nation.

The scratch came after Silent Tactic jogged for 10 minutes in the mile chute under Dass Garcia at 7:30 a.m. EDT Wednesday morning, according to a Churchill Downs news release..

Casse said the goal now will be for the Tacitus colt to run in the Preakness Stakes on May 16.

The scratch initially was reported by David Grening of Daily Racing Form.

The scratch clears the way for Great White to run for the roses Saturday at Churchill Downs. He was 50-1 on the morning line as an also-eligible.

Trained by John Ennis, Great White upset Fulleffort in the Feb. 21 John Battaglia Memorial Stakes at Turfway Park, winning by a neck at 15-1 odds. The gelded son of Volatile was fifth last out in the Grade 1 Blue Grass in his only start on dirt.

Purchased for $55,000 as a yearling, Great White is owned by Ennis with Three Chimneys Farm.

This will be the second Kentucky Derby for Ennis. He finished 13th in 2024 with Epic Ride. Epic Ride also gave Ennis his only graded-stakes win, scoring in the Mint Millions (G3) in August.

Jockey Alex Achard will ride Great White for his first Derby start.

Silent Tactic was 20-1 on the morning line for the Kentucky Derby. After winning the Southwest Stakes (G1) in February, he was second to Class President in the Rebel (G2) and runner-up to Renegade in the Arkansas Derby (G1).