Mayakovsky passing Derby

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Gotham winner Mayakovsky was not entered for Saturday's 128th Kentucky Derby, enabling Windward Passage to get into the race.

"He's not working and not running," trainer Patrick Biancone said Wednesday morning, when Mayakovsky was scheduled to breeze. "He's not ready mentally. He was only a backup anyway. As long as the other two horses arrived safely he was off the hook."

Biancone was referring to Johannesburg and Castle Gandolfo, who share common ownership with Mayakovsky. Johannesburg and Castle Gandolfo both arrived Tuesday afternoon from Ireland and were bedded down in a quarantine barn at Keeneland. They will be vanned to Churchill Downs on Saturday morning.

Biancone said Mayakovsky would be considered for races like the Preakness or the Metropolitan Handicap. However, the Metropolitan Handicap is doubtful, considering owners Michael Tabor and John Magnier also have Left Bank for that race.