In a dramatic turn of events just minutes before the Kentucky Derby, the massive gray gelding Great White was scratched after throwing his jockey and flipping in the paddock. The 1,370-pound horse, who had only secured his spot in the field days earlier, spooked while waiting to enter the starting gate for the prestigious Triple Crown opener.

Trainer John Ennis confirmed that Great White is "perfect" following the incident, noting that the horse remained "very fresh" and the scare took nothing out of him. Jockey Alex Achard was thrown during the commotion but walked away under his own power, and track veterinarians made the call to scratch the horse from the race.

The late scratch was a heartbreaker for Ennis and Achard, who were set to make their Derby debuts. Great White had only entered the field on Wednesday after Silent Tactic was ruled out due to a foot injury, making the last-minute exit even more bittersweet. Meanwhile, the race went on without them, with Golden Tempo making history by giving trainer Cherie DeVaux the first Derby win by a female trainer.

For fans of the big gray gelding, the good news is that Great White is healthy and ready for his next challenge. The Kentucky Derby may have been a missed opportunity, but this resilient horse is already looking ahead to future races.