Ontario-bred MESSIER, a Kentucky Derby contender on the first Saturday in May, is also Canadian Thoroughbred‘s early favourite for the 163rd Queen’s Plate, August 21, 2022.
The fast colt by Empire Maker – Checkered Past by Smart Strike, bred by Sam-Son Farms, is getting ready for the Santa Anita Derby (G1) on April 9 and he worked 5 furlongs in 59.40 on March 13 at Santa Anita. A $470,000 yearling purchase, Messier is owned by a large group including Starlight Racing, Madaket Racing, SF racing, and others. He is trained by Bob Baffert and with that trainer’s current ban from Churchill Downs, Messier is unable to garner any Derby points. He recently won the Robert Lewis Stakes (3) on February 6 by 15 lengths with a 201 Beyer Figure.
Messier has yet to try a synthetic dirt track such as the Tapeta surface at Woodbine.
