A runner-up finish in the Santa Anita Derby at his first start for trainer Tim Yakteen earned Messier a belated spot in the Kentucky Derby top 20. He had run well in two previous 2022 Road to the Kentucky Derby prep races, though he had not earned any points, as he was trained for those races by Bob Baffert and was thus ineligible for points, given Baffert’s suspension by Churchill Downs. Bred in Ontario, Messier was a $470,000 purchase at the Fasig-Tipton Selected Yearling sale. He is by Empire Maker, a very good source of dirt stamina, out of the black type-winning Smart Strike mare Checkered Past, a granddaughter of Canadian Oaks winner Catch the Ring. There is stamina galore in the pedigree so he should easily stay 1 1/4 miles.

Related Stories of Messier:

SCULLY: Kentucky Derby Contender Profile: Messier

JOHNSON: Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Messier