Discreet Cat will bypass the Kentucky Derby to be prepared for other races later in the season, Godolphin announced on Tuesday morning.

The SIX-length winner of the Group 2 UAE Derby had been expected to represent Godolphin in the Run for the Roses this year as Sheikh Mohammed continues to search for an elusive Kentucky Derby crown. Instead, Discreet Cat will be shipped to Belmont park from his Al Quoz base in Dubai on April 23. A number of factors led Godolphin to decide to give the Churchill Downs classic a miss.

Barbaro, Brother Derek, and Lawyer Ron all were at or near the top of anyone's short list of Kentucky Derby contenders at the beginning of the year, and each one has remained unbeaten since then. They, along with Wood Memorial winner Bob and John, Illinois Derby winner Sweetnorthernsaint, and United Arab Emirates Derby winner Discreet Cat, make up a formidable group of top prospects for the 132nd Kentucky Derby on May 6 at Churchill Downs.

First Samurai, who finished fifth in Saturday's Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland, is officially off the Kentucky Derby trail, his co-owner, Bruce Lunsford, told Daily Racing Form on Monday.

However, there are still so many 3-year-olds whose connections want to run in the 132nd Derby on May 6 that it appears graded stakes earnings will come into play. If more than 20 horses are entered in the Derby, the field is determined by earnings in graded stakes races.

::

LEXINGTON, Ky. - There once was a time when it seemed the route to the Kentucky Derby was a straight shot down I-64, from Keeneland and its Blue Grass Stakes right to Churchill Downs. From 1963 through 1972, six of those 10 Blue Grass winners repeated in the Derby.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The regional finals for the Kentucky Derby have been completed in California, Florida, Illinois, and New York the past two weeks. Now, with the exception of this Saturday's Arkansas Derby, the focus is squarely on this state, and on Monday, the sun was shining on the old Kentucky home of the Derby, Churchill Downs, where had his final prep for this state's most important Derby prep, the Blue Grass Stakes on Saturday at Keeneland.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Brother Derek closed as a clear-cut favorite Sunday evening in the third and final pool of the 2006 , which drew a final-pool total of $454,743, third-highest in the eight-year history of the futures.

Off his emphatic triumph in the Santa Anita Derby on Saturday, Brother Derek closed as the 5-1 favorite and would return $12.60 if he wins the 132nd Kentucky Derby on May 6 at Churchill Downs.

Jay Privman reports that Fountain of Youth winner First Samurai worked 4 furlongs in 48.20 this morning at Churchill Downs in preparation for Saturday's Toyota Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland.

David Grening reports Jazil may still be on the Kentucky Derby graded earnings bubble despite bankrolling $150,000 with his runnerup finish in the Wood Memorial at Aqueduct on April 8.

Gotham winner Like Now will likely make his next start in the Lexington Stakes at Keeneland. Like Now's connections are still uncertain whether their horse will take part in the Kentucky Derby.

2006 Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 3 Final Odds

::