Silent Tactic is first Kentucky Derby scratch, 2026 horse field update

Mark Giannotto, USA TODAYWed, April 29, 2026 at 3:08 PM UTC

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Silent Tactic is first Kentucky Derby scratch, 2026 horse field update

The 2026 Kentucky Derby field is changing a few days out from the 152nd Run for the Roses at Churchill Downs

Silent Tactic is the first scratch from this year's Kentucky Derby due to a bruised foot, race officials announced on Wednesday, April 29. He will be replaced by Great White in the 20-horse field set for post times at the first Triple Crown race of 2026.

Silent Tactic was considered a longshot when the Kentucky Derby commences on Saturday, with 38-1 live odds as of Wednesday morning. Trainer Mark Casse told Fanduel Racing on Tuesday he was pleased with Silent Tactic coming out of a morning session on the track, but that prognosis changed.

1 / 0Check out scenes as anticipation builds leading up to the Kentucky Derby

A horse is bathed after morning workouts during Dawn at the Downs on the backside at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, on April 27, ahead of the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby.

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Casse said Silent Tactic is experiencing "a little bit of separation between the wall ... kind of like you ever get something under your nail," according to the Louisville Courier Journal. He noted after an examination and an attempt at changing the horse's shoes, Silent Tactic's team determined, "it's just not gonna work."

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The hope, Casse added, is for Silent Tactic to be ready to race at the Preakness Stakes on May 16.

Great White is a 3-year-old gelding trained by John Ennis with two career wins on synthetic Tapeta surface and a fifth-place finish at the Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland earlier this year.

The horse will take over the No. 13 post previously occupied by Silent Tactic based on the Kentucky Derby's points standings, earned through designated prep races, to determine the field at Churchill Downs. Great White will likely settle as a longshot, though its size will make him an intriguing presence at Churchill Downs.

The Puma and Renegade have been pegged as the pre-race favorites, but this is considered a wide open field by experts. Several other contenders lurk close behind based on recent live odds.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Silent Tactic scratched from 2026 Kentucky Derby field, Great White in

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