By Dick Downey

Churchil Downs today said that several horses highly ranked on the Kentucky Derby points leaderboard will not be considered for the race by their connections.

The announcement came after what Churchill's Director of Communications and Media Services, Darren Rogers, described as "defections and conversations with Churchill Downs Racetrack Director of Racing Ben Huffman and Assistant Racing Secretary Dan Bork."

The updated leaderboard deletes from consideration Maftool (formerly number 15, 40 points), Ami's Flatter (number 17, 40 points), Prospect Park (number 21, 30 points) and Conquest Typhoon (number 22, 26 points). Daredevil (formerly number 25, 20 points) had already been sent to WinStar Farm before the announcement. Among other horses nominated to the Triple Crown, Tiz Shea D (20 points) has also been eliminated from the list of Derby prospects.

The defections move up these horses in rank: One Lucky Dane (now number 15, 40 points), Stanford (number 16, 40 points), Ocho Ocho Ocho (17, 30), Bolo (18, 30), Far Right (19, 22), Keen Ice (20, 22), Madefromlucky (21, 20), Frammento (22, 20), Bold Conquest (23, 17), Mr. Z (24, 14) and The Truth or Else (25, 14).

Far Right, Madefromlucky, Bold Conquest, Mr. Z and The Truth or Else are entered in the Arkansas Derby on Saturday.

Divining Rod now sits at number 26 with 10 points, and Tiznow R J is at 28 on the list with seven points. They're entered in the Coolmore Lexington Stakes on Saturday.

Updated Kentucky Derby Points Leaderboard