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.

It's already been an interesting time early on the Kentucky Derby trail, with poor weather forcing the shifting of race dates across the country and several key prep winners already sidelined by injury, leaving the door wide open. There's little time left for error; with 10 weeks to go, the road kicks into high gear this weekend.

The highly-regarded Buddy's Saint makes his 3-year-old debut in the Grade II Fountain of Youth Stakes, hoping to use this as a springboard into the Florida Derby for longtime New York trainer Bruce Levine. The colt was a runaway winner of the Nashua and the Remsen last fall in New York.

A member of the only crop of 2005 Horse of the Year Saint Liam, Buddy's Saint has never crossed the wire behind another horse; he finished first but was disqualified to second in his career debut.

Out of the Grade I placed Blushing John mare Tuzia, Buddy's Saint should have no issues with the nine furlong distance. He breaks from the two under Jose Lezcano.

Hall of Famer Nick Zito sends out a pair in Jackson Bend and Ice Box. Jackson Bend (Jeremy Rose, post 5) was a multiple stakeswinner last fall in Florida, sweeping the Stallion Series before being transferred to Zito following his sale to Robert LaPenta. Second in the Holy Bull to the since-sidelined Winslow Homer last time out, the colt has won at up to a mile and a sixteenth. Ice Box (Joe Bravo, post 10) was an impressive winner in a nine furlong allowance here last out; both of this son of Pulpit's wins have come around two turns.

Todd Pletcher also starts two in Grade I-placed Aikenite (Alan Garcia, rail) and Pilgrim winner Eskendereya (Johnny Velazquez, post 8).

Norfolk runner-up Pulsion (Mike smith, post 3) makes his 3-year-old debut after illness forced him out of an allowance several weeks ago. Pleasant Price (Julien Leparoux, post 4), Prince Will I Am (CC Lopez, post 6), Positive Split (Edgar Prado, post 7) and Lost Aptitude (Rajiv Maragh, post 9) complete the field.

On the undercard, D'Funnybone makes his 3-year-old debut for trainer Rick Dutrow in the Grade II Hutcheson at seven furlongs. The colt was a runaway winner of the Saratoga Special and the Belmont Futurity last year, but faltered in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile.

Also on the undercard, Courageous Cat makes his first start since finishing second to the brilliant Goldikova in the Breeders' Cup Mile. He's the favorite in the Grade III Canadian Turf Stakes, and Garrett Gomez comes in to ride for trainer Bill Mott. They break from the seven.

Mechanicville's Chad Brown starts the stakeswinning Bluegrass Princess in the Grade III Honey Fox. Leparoux is aboard the filly, who breaks from the seven. The favorite is the Christophe Clement trainee Akilina, who breaks from six under Maragh.

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Perhaps overshadowed in Florida today is the return of dual champion Gio Ponti in the Tampa Bay Breeders Cup, at a mile and a sixteenth on the turf.

Gio Ponti was named both champion older male and champion turf horse for a campaign last year that included four Grade I wins and two placings, including a second behind Zenyatta in the Classic. The 5-year-old is headed for the March 27 Dubai World Cup for trainer Christophe Clement and figures to get an easy return to the races here; he was installed as the prohibitive 3-5 favorite on the morning line.

Regular rider Ramon Dominguez is aboard, and they leave from the two in the field of nine, with two cross-entries.

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All eyes are already on Oaklawn Park, and today the track hosts the Grade III Southwest Stakes at a mile. The race was originally carded for Monday, Feb. 15, but pushed back due to icy conditions - not the first rescheduling on this year's Triple Crown trail. The Southwest leads into next month's Rebel, and then the April 10 Arkansas Derby. In recent years, this path to the Triple Crown has produced Smarty Jones, Afleet Alex, Curlin and Summer Bird.

Dublin has two wins in five starts lifetime, both coming at Saratoga. He broke his maiden early in the meet, then won the Grade I Hopeful on closing day despite an awkward break. The imposing son of Afleet Alex ended his 2-year-old campaign with disappointing efforts in the Champagne and Iroquois, but looks to be on the rebound; after a minor procedure to improve his breathing, he's turned in bullet works for weeks. Terry Thompson is aboard for the legendary D. Wayne Lukas, and the colt breaks from the three.

The local threat, Dryfly, is 3-for-4 lifetime with a win in the Smarty Jones at a mile here last out. Calvin Borel retains the mount for veteran trainer Lynn Whiting, who is trying to return to the Derby after taking it with Lil E. Tee in 1992. Dryfly breaks from the four.

San Rafael winner Conveyance shipped in from California for the Southwest after the Robert B. Lewis was postponed due to the rain there, then had to wait the extra week anyway. Martin Garcia comes in to ride the Bob Baffert trainee, and they leave from the nine in the field of 10.

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At the Fair Grounds, the promising Drosselmeyer is stepping up in class in the Grade II Risen Star at a mile and a sixteenth.

The son of Distorted Humor, out of Grade I winner Golden Ballet, was an impressive allowance winner last out at Gulfstream, handing adversity professionally. Both of the colt's wins have come around two turns. The Mott trainee keeps Kent Desormeaux aboard, and they break from the six.

Ron The Greek won the Lecomte here last month with a solid late move for trainer Tom Amoss. But he drew far outside, in the 11, under James Graham.

Tempted to Tapit was a runaway maiden winner at Aqueduct in January. The colt is a fruntrunner but bred to go farther; at the very least, he could factor into a solid early pace; he drew post 2, indicating that going to the lead is likely. David Cohen comes in to ride from trainer Steve Klesaris.

Pletcher ships in the speedy Discreetly Mine, runner-up in the Champagne and Futurity, rather than keeping him at home for the Hutcheson. The half-brother to Grade I winner Discreet Cat has Javier Castellano up and breaks from the four.

Three-year-old fillies take the stage on the undercard in the Grade III Silverbulletday at a mile and a sixteenth. The favorite will be Devil May Care, a game winner of the Grade I Frizette last fall. Castellano rides for Pletcher as they break from the outside, post 6, in a short field.

The budding rivalry between Friesan Fire and General Quarters is renewed in the Grade III Mineshaft. Both performed well on the Triple Crown trail last year, with Friesan Fire taking the Risen Star and Louisiana Derby at the Fair Grounds and General Quarters winning the Blue Grass. Both were injured in the Preakness and laid up for the rest of the season, and both returned to action with solid efforts here before moving back to stakes company. Last time out, Friesan Fire held off a steadily closing General Quarters to win the Louisiana Handicap over these same conditions.

General Quarters drew the rail under Robby Albarado for owner-trainer Tom McCarthy, and Friesan Fire breaks from beside him under Shaun Bridgemohan for Steve Asmussen.

Giant Oak has been knocking on the door, finishing second to Misremembered in the Indiana Derby last fall, and then a credible fourth in the Clark. He's been freshened since for his 4-year-old debut. The colt drew the five for the Mineshaft, as trainer Neil Pessian opted to go with this rather than the Fair Grounds Handicap on the turf, where the colt was cross-entered.

In the Grade III Fair Grounds, the veteran campaigner Silverfoot returns from a nearly six month layoff. The multiple graded winner, now 10, has nearly reached millionaire status. Jamie Theriot rides from Dallas Stewart, and the pair drew the three.

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In the Grade II San Carlos Handicap at Santa Anita it could be an epically speedy battle, as Bob Black Jack returns to tackle Breeders' Cup Sprint winner Dancing in Silks.

Bob Black Jack is making his first start since winning the 2008 Malibu Stakes. The brilliantly fast horse set a since-broken world record for six furlongs, going 1:06.53 at Santa Anita in January 2008; he also set a Santa Anita track record for seven furlongs, going the distance in 1:20.37 in December 2007. That mark was shattered by two-time champion Indian Blessing. David Flores is up on Bob Black Jack for trainer James Kasperoff, and drew well, in the two.

Dancing in Silks, who figures to try to run Bob Black Jack down in the lane, won three straight races before upsetting the Sprint. He was third behind Kinsale King in his return last out in the Palos Verdes. Joel Rosario is back aboard the Carla Gaines trainee, and they break from the three.

The Florida path to the Kentucky Derby gets underway this afternoon with the running of the Grade III Holy Bull Stakes, as nine colts go a mile.

Headlining the field is the intriguing prospect Jackson Bend. The colt has won five straight races, at up to a mile and a sixteenth, and swept a set of ungraded events in the Florida Stallion Stakes. In doing so, he defeated highly regarded New York stakeswinner D'Funnybone and the speedy Thank U Philippe, who he meets again today. Following his win in the In Reality Stakes, Jackson Bend was purchased by Robert LaPenta and transferred to Nick Zito; the colt makes his first start for the New York-based trainer today and breaks from the nine under Jeremy Rose, who also rides him for the first time.

Grade I winner Homeboykris drew post 2 under Edgar Prado. The son of Roman Ruler upset a well-regarded field to take the Champagne at Belmont. However, he was a distant fifth in the Remsen last time out behind Buddy's Saint.

Several other starters haven't broken through in a stakes yet but have shown promise. Todd Pletcher sends out Aikenite under regular rider Johnny Velazquez; the colt was third in the Hopeful at Saratoga, second in the Breeders' Futurity and a troubled fifth in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile. He breaks from the eight. Piscitelli drew the four under Kent Desormeaux; the colt set the pace in the Juvenile and finished fourth, beaten less than a length by winner Vale of York. Winslow Homer broke his maiden at Saratoga, then won an allowance by more than a dozen lengths in Philadelphia. He gets NYRA leading rider Ramon Dominguez and breaks from post 6.

Thank U Philippe, who was also second to Buddy's Saint in the Nashua, is expected to set the pace; he gets blinkers on and leaves from the rail under Eddie Castro. Litigation Risk (Alan Garcia, post 3), William's Kitten (Julien Leparoux, post 5) and Wild Lime (Jose Lezcano, post 7) complete the field.

The Florida route to the Derby, which continues with the Fountain of Youth Feb. 20 and the Florida Derby March 20, has been a successful one in recent years, sending Barbaro in 2006 and Big Brown in 2008 to Derby victory.

Meanwhile in Louisiana, a big field of 11 will face off in the Grade III, $100,000 Lecomte at the Fair Grounds. The Louisiana series continues with the Risen Star on Feb. 20 and the Louisiana Derby March 27.

The morning-line favorite for the LeComte is Citrus Kid, who won the Dover Stakes at a mile and a sixteenth and finished third in the Remsen behind Buddy's Saint. He breaks from the five under Miguel Mena.

Maximus Ruler breaks from the rail under Francisco Torres. The colt has shown promise, finishing a troubled third in his debut before scoring in a mile allowance at Churchill Downs.

Turf Melody (Jose Valdivia, post 2) is the only three-time winner in the field, including the Springboard Mile Stakes. Worldly (Robby Albarado, post 3) is a full brother to the multiple stakeswinner Suave; he finished third in the Kentucky Jockey Club behind Super Saver last fall.

Not all the stakes action today is for 3-year-olds, however. Earlier at the Fair Grounds, two horses who were on the Derby trail last year meet in the Louisiana Handicap. Friesan Fire and General Quarters are each making the first start of their 4-year-old campaigns and just the second start off injuries both suffered in the Preakness. Friesan Fire, who won the Risen Star and Louisiana Derby last spring, was third in an allowance optional claiming event in his comeback Dec. 3. General Quarters, who won the Blue Grass last April, was second under similar conditions on Dec. 26.

Elsewhere, Breeders' Cup Sprint winner Dancing in Silks will make his 2010 debut in the Grade II Palos Verdes Handicap at Santa Anita. The California track is resuming racing today after storms that forced the cancellation of three cards this week.