Arkansas Derby (G1) runner-up Silent Tactic has been scratched from the May 2 Kentucky Derby (G1) with a bruised foot, allowing also-eligible Great White to enter the classic.
Churchill Downs made the scratch announcement the morning of April 29.
Silent Tactic, trained by Hall of Famer Mark Casse for owner John Oxley, won the Southwest Stakes (G3) and was second in Oaklawn Park's other Derby preps—the Smarty Jones, the Rebel Stakes (G2), and the Arkansas Derby (G1), losing the latter race to the Kentucky Derby's morning-line favorite Renegade.
The Tacitus colt had been 20-1 on the morning line to win the Derby.
"It was a pretty easy decision," Casse said. "He's had some issues with his foot. It kind of comes and goes."
Scratching now gives Silent Tactic a shot at making the May 16 Preakness Stakes (G1), the second leg of the Triple Crown at Laurel Park, and allows someone on the also-eligible list to have time to prepare for the Derby.
trains April 26 at Churchill Downs
Three Chimneys Farm's and John Ennis's Great White won the John Battaglia Memorial Stakes in February at Turfway Park before finishing fifth in the Blue Grass Stakes (G1) at Keeneland. The Ennis trainee has been training at Churchill Downs in the period reserved for Derby and Oaks starters. He is a 50-1 outsider.
Great White gives Ennis his second Derby starter, after Epic Ride finished 13th in 2024.
"We're excited to get in the starting gate," Ennis said.
About 30 minutes before finding out his Volatile gelding was getting in the race on Wednesday morning, Ennis said he'd told someone it would be better to know sooner rather than later.
"We're there now, and if you're in it, you've got a chance."
