With contenders running out of time to amass the graded stakes earnings needed to secure a spot in the starting gate for the May 1 Kentucky Derby, the final two major-money prep races, held on Saturday, were of the utmost importance. When the dust cleared at Oaklawn and Keeneland, the status of some runners was clarified.

Who's In: In one fell swoop, Line of David and Stately Victor earned entry into the Derby field with their upset victories in the Arkansas Derby and Blue Grass Stakes, respectively. The runners-up in both races, Super Saver and Paddy O'Prado, also boosted their earnings enough to secure a spot in the starting gate should their connections want it.

Who's Out: Tampa Bay Derby winner Odysseus came out of his last-place finish in the Blue Grass with a bone chip in the back of his knee and is on the shelf for the time being. Todd Pletcher declared that Aikenite, who was beaten by everyone but Odysseus in the Blue Grass, would also pass on the Derby. WinStar Farm had floated the idea of running the still-developing Drosselmeyer in the Lexington this weekend in order to pick up graded earnings, but the colt isn't included on a list of probables for the race released by Keeneland, meaning his connections likely aren't making the push for the race.

Who's Questionable: The consistent Noble's Promise, second on the graded earnings list, broke poorly in the Arkansas Derby and finished fifth, his first time off the board in his career. Following the race, he was found to have a lung infection and some minor cuts on his legs. Trainer Ken McPeek says he'll monitor the colt before making a final decision. Pletcher said that Interactif, who has the graded earnings to enter the Derby but who has done his best running on turf, will need to work strongly on dirt at Churchill Downs to earn his entry into the race. Watching the potential defections keenely are the connections of the colts ranked No. 21 and No. 22 on the list, Uh Oh Bango and Jackson Bend. Uh Oh Bango is questionable for the Derby even if a defection does allow him into the field, while trainer Nick Zito has said that he would run Jackson Bend if a spot opens for him.

The final realistic chance to secure graded earnings comes in the Lexington Stakes this Saturday at Keeneland - but with this year's cutoff hovering well over $200,000, it's unlikely that the winner's purse of $180,000 will vault anyone into the field unless there are defections. It's also unlikely that any runners in the Withers or the Derby Trial, both one week before the Kentucky Derby, would wheel back for the biggest test of their young lives should they amass the needed earnings in those stakes. However, trainer Gary Contessa has floated the idea of running speedy yet spooky Eightfiveinafifty back in the Derby should he post a two-turn win in the Derby Trial.

Should he pass on the Derby, Eightyfiveinafifty would likely point to the second jewel of the Triple Crown, the Preakness on May 15. As the Derby field is solidified, the Preakness field is also beginning to take shape, with horses on the outside in terms of graded earnings, such as Caracortado and Drosselmeyer likely to head to Pimlico. A new shooter would be the fleet D'Funnybone, winner of the Saratoga Special and Futurity last year and the Swale and Hutcheson this year.