Overview
- Silent Tactic, scratched Wednesday with a bruised foot that trainer Mark Casse compared to a fingernail separation, became the first withdrawal from Saturday’s 20-horse field.
- Churchill Downs moved first also-eligible Great White into the race under the standard replacement rule, with horses drawn 14 through 20 shifting inward and Great White taking the outside post.
- Connections said the early scratch lets them start treatment sooner, with Casse targeting the Preakness Stakes on May 16 after confirming jockey Cristian Torres loses his planned Derby debut.
- Great White enters for trainer John Ennis with Alex Achard making his first Derby ride, bringing two wins on synthetic tracks and a fifth in the Blue Grass on dirt as a longshot.
- Silent Tactic had finished first or second in all six starts, and his absence alters pace and betting scenarios for a wide-open Derby while keeping Casse’s first Derby win on hold.