Foot ailment forces Casse to scratch Silent Tactic from Kentucky Derby

Mark Casse has put his quest for a first-ever Kentucky Derby win on hold.

Casse’s hopes to earn that elusive victory at the 2026 Derby ended Wednesday when Silent Tactic was scratched due to a foot ailment. The opening jewel of American thoroughbred racing’s Triple Crown goes Saturday at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky.

But the decision to have Silent Tactic skip the Derby wasn’t a difficult one.

“We’re always going to try to do what we feel is best for the horse,” Casse said. “I feel bad for Mr. Oxley (owner John Oxley) because it’s 25 years since he won (’01 Kentucky Derby) with Monarchos, I feel terrible for Cristian (jockey Cristian Torres), who was going to ride in his first Derby.

“As for me, I’m fine. I learned long ago not to plan on anything until it happens. The nice part about it is Mr. Oxley has been in it so long (that) he gets it so that’s important to me.”

Casse has fielded 11 Derby starters, with his best finish being fourth with Classic Empire in 2017.

Silent Tactic came into the Kentucky Derby off a second-place finish in the US$1.5-million Arkansas Derby on March 28 after winning the $1-million Southwest Stakes on Feb. 6. Silent Tactic was listed as a 20-1 early choice and had drawn the No. 13 post in the 20-horse field.

Casse said Silent Tactic’s injury isn’t major.

“It’s almost like when you have your nail separate, it’s painful,” Casse said. “It doesn’t bother him galloping or wouldn’t bother him going fast but the problem is you can’t run in the Kentucky Derby and not be 100 per cent.

“We could’ve held on for another day or two but then it would slow down our chances of getting to the Preakness. It’s very, very slight, that’s the good news. The timing is poor but it’s not a big deal and that’s the most important part.”

The Preakness is scheduled for May 16 at Laurel Park in Maryland due to construction at Pimlico Race Course.

“The mile and 3/16th (race distance) is going to be to his liking,” Casse said. “It gives us some time to try and get his foot in better shape.”

Casse, 65, earned the Sovereign Award as Canada’s outstanding trainer last week. He claimed the honour for an unprecedented 17th time after finishing second by one point to Canadian Kevin Attard in 2024.

Casse has won seven Canadian Triple Crown races — including the King’s Plate three times with fillies Lexie Lou (2014) and Wonder Gadot (2018) as well as Paramount Prince (2023). He has captured five Breeders’ Cup events as well as two-thirds of the American Triple Crown in 2019 with War of Will (Preakness) and Sir Winston (Belmont).

Casse was inducted into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame in 2016. He went into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame south of the border in 2020.

Casse said Torres will ride Silent Tactic if the horse runs in the Preakness.

On Friday, Casse will have two horses in the US$1.5-million Kentucky Oaks, a 1 1/8-mile race for three-year-old fillies. Search Party (30-1) will start from the No. 3 post with Counting Stars (8-1) at No. 4 in the 14-horse field.

Torres will ride Search Party while Francisco Arrieta will be aboard Counting Stars. Casse isn’t bothered with his horses starting alongside each other.

“I can see them both break and watch them at the same time,” he said. “I’m not worried about that.

“I think that’s a great post for Counting Stars, it really doesn’t matter for Search Party. She’s going to drop out of the back and try to come with a run. More importantly for her, she needs some pace and it looks like there’s some pace in there. I see Counting Stars maybe laying just right off of that pace.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 30, 2026.