Messier, Adare Manor Work for Santa Anita Engagements

Messier  and Adare Manor , winners of their last races by a combined margin of 28 lengths, each worked April 2 at Santa Anita Park in preparation for this Saturday's Runhappy Santa Anita Derby (G1) and Santa Anita Oaks (G2).    

Work of the Day from @santaanitapark, Messier worked 5 Furlongs in 1:00.60 on April 2nd, 2022, for trainer Tim Yakteen. Messier is expected to make his next start in the #Runhappy Santa Anita Derby on April 9th. @1stbet pic.twitter.com/siNhczAceA

— XBTV (@WatchXBTV) April 2, 2022

Messier and Adare Manor both breezed five furlongs on the Santa Anita main track, the former in 1:00.60 and the latter in 1:00.20.

"Messier was spectacular, as was the filly," said trainer Tim Yakteen. "We're right on point. Messier went at 6:30 with Drayden Van Dyke aboard and Adare Manor went at 7:45 with my exercise rider, Baltazar Contreras.

"The works were just what I was looking for and were perfectly executed," Yakteen said of both horses who worked for the second time since being transferred to his stable following the KHRC's 90-day suspension, beginning April 4, of trainer Bob Baffert.

EHALT, KING: Meessier, Other Baffert 3-Year-Olds To Join Other Barns

Since Baffert was currently suspended by two years by Churchill Downs Inc., both Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G3) winner Messier and Las Virgenes Stakes (G3) winner Adare Manor were ineligible for Kentucky Derby and Oaks points despite winning their respective prep races.

The Santa Anita Derby and Santa Anita Oaks offer qualifying points on a 100-40-20-10 scale.

Jockey John Velazquez is slated to ride Adare Manor in the Santa Anita Oaks and Messier in the Santa Anita Derby.