Madaket Road is pointed to Pat Day Mile, not Ky. Derby

Madaket Road, who was 18th in the Kentucky Derby 2025 standings, will skip the race in favor of the Grade 2 Pat Day Mile on the undercard.

Trainer Bob Baffert told Daily Racing Form that the mile is a better distance for Madaket Road than the 1 1/4-mile Derby, and the report was subsequently confirmed by Churchill Downs.

Madaket Road has one win, a maiden special weight, from five starts. He was second to Coal Battle in the Rebel (G2) and fourth last out in the Florida Derby (G1).

The defection of Madaket Road opens a slot in the Churchill Downs starting gate for Built, trained by Wayne Catalano. But he also is being considered for the Pat Day Mile, according to the DRF report.

Next on the list would be Neoquos, trained by Saffie Joseph Jr.

The Neolithic colt breezed five furlongs in 1:00.51 Friday morning at Gulfstream Park.

“Right now, we’re going to the Derby. The distance is still a question mark, but he keeps running well enough and fast enough on the figures to keep going and try,” Joseph told the Gulfstream Park media team Friday morning.

Neoequos, who out-worked stablemate Mr. Narcissistic, is expected to breeze one more time at Gulfstream Park before shipping to Churchill Downs.

“Right now, I’m probably leaning toward working him one more time and then head to Churchill,” Joseph said. “He might work next Thursday. Either Thursday or Friday next week. Probably next Thursday and then ship in (Friday).”