Hitherto a bridesmaid on the Triple Crown trail, Red Route One finally got up in the nick of time in Saturday’s Bath House Row S. at Oaklawn Park.

An impressive victory in the Fountain of Youth (G2) propelled Forte to overall favoritism in Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 5.

After an admirable second to loose-on-the-lead stablemate Victory Formation in the Smarty Jones S. at Oaklawn Park, Angel of Empire thrived with added ground, and a contested pace, in Saturday’s Risen Star (G2) at Fair Grounds.

When betting closed on Sunday, “All Other Three Year Olds” was the overall 2-1 favorite in Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 4.

Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 3 saw “All Other Three-Year-Old Males” close as the overall favorite, with Forte the preferred individual choice.

Victory Formation brought his record to a perfect 3-for-3 and joined the Road to the Kentucky Derby with a triumph in the Smarty Jones S. at Oaklawn Park.

The closing of Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 2 and the Kentucky Derby Sire Future Wager provided a burst of intrigue for Derby-focused horseplayers.