LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Windward Passage, one of two horses trainer Steve Asmussen expected to start in the Kentucky Derby, was knocked out of the 20-horse field at the last minute Wednesday by a surprise entry from trainer Bob Baffert.

Baffert was already in Saturday's race with War Emblem, the Illinois Derby winner purchased for him three weeks ago by Prince Ahmed Salman of Saudi Arabia.

Baffert also entered Danthebluegrassman, who finished last in the Santa Anita Derby on April 6, even though he had said the colt hadn't showed him enough to earn a Derby start.

"I thought we'd keep it hush hush," Baffert said. "I didn't want to stir anything up."

Asmussen wasn't happy when he found out 15 minutes before the 5 p.m. EDT draw that Windward Passage was out.

"Everybody congratulated us for getting in the race all day," he said.

"When I asked why somebody wouldn't let us know between 10 o'clock and 5 o'clock, the stewards didn't want us to know because of the chance somebody decided to declare out between that time."

Danthebluegrassman, owned by Baffert's close friend Mike Pegram, barely edged Windward Passage in graded stakes earnings, which determined who qualified for the full 20-horse field.

Danthebluegrassman has earned $108,750 as a 3-year-old compared to Windward Passage's total of $100,000.

Asmussen will still start Private Emblem, who ironically shares a sire with War Emblem, Baffert's other entry.