Silent Tactic has been scratched from the 2026 Kentucky Derby due to a bruised foot, making him the first withdrawal from the race. He will be replaced by Great White in the 20-horse field set for the event.
Key points
Silent Tactic is the first scratch from the 2026 Kentucky Derby.
He was withdrawn due to a bruised foot.
Great White will take his place in the race.
Silent Tactic had 38-1 odds before the scratch.
The Kentucky Derby is set for April 30, 2026.
Silent TacticGreat WhiteMark CasseKentucky Derby
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.
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.
St. Elizabeth Catholic Charities celebrates as they cross the finish line at the Kentucky Derby Festival's Great Bed Races held at Broadbent Arena Monday evening, April 27, 2026.
Q&A
Why was Silent Tactic scratched from the Kentucky Derby?
Silent Tactic was scratched from the Kentucky Derby due to a bruised foot.
Who will replace Silent Tactic in the Kentucky Derby 2026?
Great White will replace Silent Tactic in the 2026 Kentucky Derby field.
What were Silent Tactic's odds before being scratched from the race?
Silent Tactic had live odds of 38-1 before being scratched from the Kentucky Derby.
When is the 2026 Kentucky Derby scheduled to take place?
The 2026 Kentucky Derby is scheduled to take place on Saturday, April 30, 2026.
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Flowers in the Winner's Circle at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, a week before the running of the 152nd Kentucky Derby, on April 24, 2026.
John King and his daughter, Ghauni, 4, watch as the first hot air balloons lift at the Kentucky Derby Festival's Great Balloon Glow Thursday night at Waterfront Park on April 23, 2026.
Levi Shank, left, and Amanda Regier run in costume following the start of the 2026 Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon and mini Marathon on Saturday, April 25, 2026 in Louisville Kentucky.
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2026 Kentucky Derby horse Silent Tactic during a morning workout on April 23, 2026 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Silent Tactic is trained by Mark Casse.
The Shady Rays balloon lifts off as hot air balloons take flight at Bowman Field for the KDF Great BalloonFest Rush Hour Race in Louisville on April 24, 2026.
People gathered around to see the Kentucky Derby and Oaks horses arrive at the main gap during morning training at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, on April 28, 2026.
A horse is bathed after morning workouts during Dawn at the Downs on the backside at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, on April 27, 2026, ahead of the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby.
Spectators line East Broadway to catch a glimpse of the floats during the Zoeller Pump Company Pegasus Parade in Louisville, Kentucky, Sunday, April 26, 2026.
The trophy given to the winner of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, on April 25.
2026 Kentucky Derby trainer Todd Pletcher on the backside watching his horses work out at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky on April 27, 2028. Pletcher has 2026 Kentucky Derby horse Renegade.
2026 Kentucky Derby horse and favorite Renegade getting bathed after working at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, on April 27, 2026. The horse is trained by Todd Pletcher.
A crowd gathers on the backside at sunrise during Dawn at the Downs at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, on April 27, ahead of the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby.
Veteran jockey and two-time Kentucky Derby winner Mike Smith, who will pilot 2026 Kentucky Derby hopeful So Happy, on April 24, 2026.
A unicylcist waves to the crowd during the 2026 Pegasus Parade on Broadway Avenue in Louisville, Kentucky, on Sunday, April 26, 2026.
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1 / 19
Check 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.
1 / 19
Check 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.
2 / 19
Check out scenes as anticipation builds leading up to the Kentucky Derby
St. Elizabeth Catholic Charities celebrates as they cross the finish line at the Kentucky Derby Festival's Great Bed Races held at Broadbent Arena Monday evening, April 27, 2026.
3 / 19
Check out scenes as anticipation builds leading up to the Kentucky Derby
Flowers in the Winner's Circle at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, a week before the running of the 152nd Kentucky Derby, on April 24, 2026.
4 / 19
Check out scenes as anticipation builds leading up to the Kentucky Derby
John King and his daughter, Ghauni, 4, watch as the first hot air balloons lift at the Kentucky Derby Festival's Great Balloon Glow Thursday night at Waterfront Park on April 23, 2026.
5 / 19
Check out scenes as anticipation builds leading up to the Kentucky Derby
Levi Shank, left, and Amanda Regier run in costume following the start of the 2026 Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon and mini Marathon on Saturday, April 25, 2026 in Louisville Kentucky.
6 / 19
Check out scenes as anticipation builds leading up to the Kentucky Derby
The Japanese team of Wonder Dean celebrated their horse's No. 10 post position after the 2026 Kentucky Derby Draw at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, on April 25, 2026.
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Check out scenes as anticipation builds leading up to the Kentucky Derby
2026 Kentucky Derby horse Fulleffort, trained by Brad Cox, was ridden by Edvin Vargas during a morning workout on April 23, 2026 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Fulleffort has seven career races with three wins, two second-place finishes and one third-place finish.
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Check out scenes as anticipation builds leading up to the Kentucky Derby
2026 Kentucky Derby horse Silent Tactic during a morning workout on April 23, 2026 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Silent Tactic is trained by Mark Casse.
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Check out scenes as anticipation builds leading up to the Kentucky Derby
The Shady Rays balloon lifts off as hot air balloons take flight at Bowman Field for the KDF Great BalloonFest Rush Hour Race in Louisville on April 24, 2026.
10 / 19
Check out scenes as anticipation builds leading up to the Kentucky Derby
People gathered around to see the Kentucky Derby and Oaks horses arrive at the main gap during morning training at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, on April 28, 2026.
11 / 19
Check 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, 2026, ahead of the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby.
12 / 19
Check out scenes as anticipation builds leading up to the Kentucky Derby
Spectators line East Broadway to catch a glimpse of the floats during the Zoeller Pump Company Pegasus Parade in Louisville, Kentucky, Sunday, April 26, 2026.
13 / 19
Check out scenes as anticipation builds leading up to the Kentucky Derby
The trophy given to the winner of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, on April 25.
14 / 19
Check out scenes as anticipation builds leading up to the Kentucky Derby
2026 Kentucky Derby trainer Todd Pletcher on the backside watching his horses work out at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky on April 27, 2028. Pletcher has 2026 Kentucky Derby horse Renegade.
15 / 19
Check out scenes as anticipation builds leading up to the Kentucky Derby
2026 Kentucky Derby horse and favorite Renegade getting bathed after working at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, on April 27, 2026. The horse is trained by Todd Pletcher.
16 / 19
Check out scenes as anticipation builds leading up to the Kentucky Derby
A crowd gathers on the backside at sunrise during Dawn at the Downs at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, on April 27, ahead of the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby.
17 / 19
Check out scenes as anticipation builds leading up to the Kentucky Derby
Veteran jockey and two-time Kentucky Derby winner Mike Smith, who will pilot 2026 Kentucky Derby hopeful So Happy, on April 24, 2026.
18 / 19
Check out scenes as anticipation builds leading up to the Kentucky Derby
A unicylcist waves to the crowd during the 2026 Pegasus Parade on Broadway Avenue in Louisville, Kentucky, on Sunday, April 26, 2026.
19 / 19
Check out scenes as anticipation builds leading up to the Kentucky Derby
A crowd gathers to watch as 2026 Kentucky Derby contender Six Speed walks in circles before the special training time for Derby and Oaks horses at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, on April 24, 2026. The horse is trained by Bhupat Seamer.
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."
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.
