Silent Tactic, a horse owned by famed Oklahoma native John Oxley, will not run in the 2026 Kentucky Derby, Churchill Downs announced Wednesday morning.
Silent Tactic's trainer Mark Casse said the horse is suffering from a bruised foot he picked up in the Arkansas Derby, where he placed second next to Kentucky Derby favorite Renegade.
Casse described it as "a little bit of separation between the wall... kind of like you ever get something under your nail." After examining it and changing his shoes, Casse said "It's just not gonna work."
More: Kentucky Derby jockeys and trainers guide: Who’s in the saddle in 2026?
Silent Tactic has scratched from the Kentucky Derby with a bruised foot. Great White is in. pic.twitter.com/RL5lw7SZeU
The hope is to have Silent Tactic ready for the Preakness Stakes on May 16.
"Well, you know, it's always disappointing," Silent Tactic trainer Mark Casse said. "I'm more disappointed honestly, for (owner) Mr. (John) Oxley, you know, he's 89 years old. He won the Derby 25 years ago.
"I'm disappointed for Cristian Torres, who was going to ride his first Derby. Me, I've been doing it 47. I get it, and it's just a little bump in the road."
Great White is trained by John Ennis, who is 0 for 1 in the Derby after finishing 13th with Epic Ride in 2024. Jockey Alex Achard will make his Derby debut aboard the horse. Three Chimneys Farm (Goncalo Torrealba) is 0 for 3 in the Derby as an owner, finishing third twice with Chief's Crown (1985) and Gun Runner (2016).
John C. Oxley, also known as Jack, gets his horse passion from his father, John T. Oxley, who was an Oklahoma gas and oilman. Both have been inducted into the National Museum of Polo Hall of Fame.
Together, Jack Oxley and his wife, Debby Oxley, have trained racing horses, bringing some great victories from their thoroughbreds. Some of their earliest wins include 1995 Kentucky Oaks winner Gal In A Ruckus, Grade 1 Hopeful Stakes winner Sky Mesa and Grade 2 Dwyer and Super Derby winner Strong Contender.
However, their biggest win comes with Monarchos winning the 2001 Kentucky Derby. Monarchos crossed the finish line at 1:59.97, making it the second horse to finish the race in less than two minutes, a club only Secretariat and Monarchos can claim.
The Oxleys were previously in the international horse racing limelight when their mare Beautiful Pleasure won the 1999 Breeders’ Cup Distaff (now called the Ladies’ Classic), en route to being voted the 1999 Eclipse Award for Champion Older Female.
Oxley was inducted into the Oklahoma Horse Racing Hall of Fame in 2011.
The Oxleys currently reside in Midway, Kentucky, and keep several broodmares at their Fawn Leap Farm, according to the Oklahoma Horse Racing Hall of Fame.
The 152nd Run for the Roses at Churchill Downs is scheduled for Saturday, May 2, 2026. Fans can view the Kentucky Derby on NBC and USA Network, with streaming available on Peacock.
Location: Churchill Downs (Louisville, Kentucky)
The 2026 Kentucky Derby can be watched on NBC, with streaming available on Peacock. Coverage starts at 2:30 p.m. ET.
Odds via KentuckyDerby.com as of 9:30am on Tuesday, April 28:
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Silent Tactic, Oklahoma-owned horse, pulls out of Kentucky Derby