Canadian/Ontario-bred MESSIER, currently at the top of the contenders’ list for the 163rd Queen’s Plate, faded to 15th, beaten 19 1/4 lengths in the Kentucky Derby (G1) last weekend after prompting a breakneck pace. Bred by Sam-Son Farm, the fleet son of Empire Maker can’t be judged too harshly off that race because of the pace but his trainer Tim Yakteen suggested the colt had distance limitation following the race. Whether the American-owned bay 3-year-old is pointed to the August 21st Plate at 1 1/4 miles (same distance as the Derby) against Canadian-breds on Tapeta is a question.
Questions also surround Canada’s Champion 2-Year-Old Male of 2021, GOD OF LOVE as the chestnut son of Cupid has had his workouts interrupted again. The Mark Casse-trained colt finished sixth in the Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs in February and missed some time after the race. He began working again at Casse Training Centre March 12 and worked again March 19 but he has not had a workout since then.
Florida-based stakes winner ELDON’S PRINCE has been working at Gulfstream Park for trainer Saffie Joseph (last workout April 24) and this turf-loving guy by Cairo Prince had his last race in early February.