Winners and Losers

The continuing and ever changing Kentucky Derby picture got even a little more crazy on Saturday afternoon after big upsets in the Blue Grass and Arkansas Derby.

The only constant on Saturday was who is still the horse to beat in just under three weeks. According to Churchill Downs morning line oddsmaker, Eskendereya will likely be a 2-1 favorite for the Derby and Sidney's Candy and Lookin at Lucky will be the second and third choices.

After a topsy turvy Saturday. here's a look at Saturday's winners and losers:

WINNERS

Stately Victor - A horse that wasn't considered a serious Derby contender at any point this year vaulted himself from a no name to #9 on the Derby Graded Stakes earnings list after capturing the Blue Grass Stakes with a record win payoff of $82.20. The son of Ghostzapper now gives Churchill Downs based trainer Mike Maker two Derby starters (the other - Dean's Kitten).

Paddy O'Prado - Seemingly trainer Dale Romans' last hope for a Derby starter, the gray colt delivered with a solid runner-up finish in the Blue Grass. Paddy O'Prado moved into 19th on the Earnings List and will give two-time Derby winning rider Kent Desormeaux a shot at a Roses "hat trick."

Interactif - His fourth place finish in the Blue Grass may seem insignificant but the $37,500 in earnings he pocketed put him in 17th place and all but locked up a spot in the Derby starting gate. Trainer Todd Pletcher said that neither of horses in the Blue Grass cared for the artificial Polytrack but nonetheless, he still managed a good effort to pick up needed money.

Line of David - Trai

ner John Sadler, who already had a major contender with Sidney's Candy, added one more after Line of David led nearly every step of the way in an upset victory in the Arkansas Derby. The son of 2004 Derby runner of Lion Heart won his third straight and is tied with Eskendereya for fifth on the Earnings list.

Jon Court - The jockey, who spent many years at Churchill Downs, now has a cha

nce to return home with one of the hottest horses in the Road to the Kentucky Derby.

Super Saver - Even though he narrowly lost the Arkansas Derby, his effort was significant for the following:

Calvin Borel - One of the most beloved and well known jockeys in the past few years secured another ride in the Derby after he guided Super Saver to his 2nd place effort. Borel will be seeking his third victory in four years, which would be a remarkable achievement.

WinStar Farm - This well known Kentucky farm locked up their fourth Derby contender with Super Saver's finish. They could add a fifth if Drosselmeyer runs and wins next week's Coolmore Lexington Stakes. Drosselmeyer is currently 36th on the Earnings list and the Lexington victory is essential is he wants run on the first Saturday in May.

Todd Pletcher - The future Hall of Fame trainer, who is 0-for-24 in the Derby, now has six horses slated to "Run for the Roses" led by Eskendereya.

LOSERS

Jackson Bend - Even though he has been runner-up to Derby favorite Eskendereya two consecutive times, the Nick Zito trained colt slipped from #17 to #22 on the Earnings list after Saturday's Derby Prep upsets. The only shot he has to make it into the Derby field is with two defections. Zito's lone Derby hope is now with Florida Derby winner Ice Box.

Pleasant Prince - After finishing second in the Florida Derby, it seemed that he was all but a lock to make the Derby. But after it became apparent that he wasn't going to have enough money to get it, his connections elected to run him in the Blue Grass. That moves backfired as he finished seventh and now sits 29th on the Earnings List.

Odysseus - In the middle of March, he was the talk of racing after pulling off an improbable victory in the Tampa Bay Derby. Since that was his only Graded Stakes race, he was going to need no worse than a third place finish in the Blue Grass to move on to the Kentucky Derby. Things looked promising early as he was on the lead but he tired quickly on the final and finished last. He's now 26th on the list.

Aikenite/Todd Pletcher - The only bad news from Saturday for Pletcher was with Aikenite's subpar performance knocked him down 24th on the Earnings List. The Preakness might be next for him.

Make Music For Me - Trainer Alexis Barba has a small stable of horses and she was really hoping to have her first Derby starter but after his sixth place finish in the Blue Grass, he went from 20th to 25th on the Earnings List.

Backtalk - Even though he didn't run this weekend, he slipped out of the Top 20. He dropped form 18th to 23rd and all trainer Tom Amoss can do is wait and hope for defections.

Photos courtesy of Eclipse Sportswire