Great White gets scratched from Kentucky Derby just before race after jockey gets thrown

Another horse was scratched from Saturday’s Kentucky Derby just minutes before post time — and this one involved a scary scene at Churchill Downs.

Great White, who entered as the biggest horse in the field at 1,370 pounds and with 22-1 odds, was removed from the race after throwing jockey Alex Achard onto the ground near the starting gate, according to the Associated Press.

Great White was scratched late ahead of the Kentucky Derby. Screengrab via X/@CBeasmoreSports

The horse was escorted off the track, and that brought the field down to 18 horses — with Golden Tempo eventually winning the 152nd running of the Derby after a thrilling comeback.

After Great White threw Achard onto the ground, flipping over and narrowly missing falling right onto its jockey, there was a brief delay in the start of the race, as the rest of the horses needed to be loaded into the starting gate.

Great White was a late addition to the Derby field after Silent Tactic was scratched due to a foot issue. The Puma was scratched earlier Saturday after it was discovered that significant leg swelling was due to a skin infection.

Great White threw its jockey onto the ground ahead of the Kentucky Derby on May 2. Screengrab via X/@CBeasmoreSports

“It won’t be an easy task,” Achard told FanDuel Racing earlier this week about his Derby chance with Great White, “but I have faith in my horse.”

Renegade and Ocelli finished second and third, respectively, in the Derby behind Golden Tempo.