The Kentucky Derby winner is back and takes on just one from trainer Bob Baffert after favourite Muth was scratched.
Bob Baffert
Just Steel, trained by legendary conditioner D. Wayne Lukas, finishes second, picking up 50 Kentucky Derby points.
The Gotham Stakes (G3) has a big field but is just a one-mile race and a stepping-stone to the big Derby prep, the Wood Memorial.
Muddy tracks played a role in Derby prep upsets, while the most impressive winner in California is not Derby eligible.
Preakness Stakes (G1) winner National Treasure was well prepared by Bob Baffert to hang on in the $3 million World Cup.
A field of 12 will contest the 1 1/8 mile invitational race on a stakes-filled card at Gulfstream on January 27.
Baffert is "at a loss to understand" why Churchill Downs will continue to keep the trainer out of its tracks for another year.
It was a day of mixed emotions for trainer Bob Baffert, who sent out National Treasure to win the Preakness.
Saturday night's Saudi Cup headlines a rich race card that begins at 7:45 a.m. February 25 Eastern time. TSN1 will show the Cup at noon.
Grade 3 winner was recently 15th in Kentucky Derby and the Sam-Son Farms-bred colt has had light recent training.
Following a second-place finish to stablemate Taiba in the Santa Anita Derby, Messier's trainer Tim Yakteen is excited.
WinStar, Zedan Racing and Commonwealth Thoroughbreds' Tonalist colt defeated Hot Rod Charlie with a strong late rally.
The Louisiana Derby (G2) offers 170 points for the Kentucky Derby and Canadian-bred Messier is one of four Bob Baffert horses moved.
A bargain purchase and a gutsy colt, the late Medina Spirit will have his final resting place at the popular racehorse retirement farm.
The disqualification comes nearly 300 days after the 2021 Kentucky Derby; trainer Bob Baffert given 90-day suspension and $7,500 fine.
