Yakteen-Trained Messier Moves Into Future Wager Lineup

For the first time in 2021-22, Messier , one of the top Triple Crown prospects based in California, is an individual betting interest in Churchill Downs' Kentucky Derby Future Wager.

Previously ineligible to the May 7 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) owing to a suspension for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, the colt was transferred to the barn of trainer Tim Yakteen late last month, leaving the colt now eligible to earn points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. He makes his next start in the April 9 Runhappy Santa Anita Derby (G1) at Santa Anita Park, where points are distributed on a 100-40-20-10 scale to its top four finishers.

Messier is among five new additions to the fifth and final round of the KDFW, which opens April 7 at noon ET and concludes Saturday at 4:30 p.m. ET—before the major Kentucky Derby preps are run. As many as 10 individual betting interests in Saturday's pool are expected to run in that day's $1 million Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G1), the $750,000 Runhappy Santa Anita Derby (G1), and the $750,000 Wood Memorial Presented by Resorts World Casino (G2).

Besides Messier, other horses scheduled for Saturday action include Early Voting  (Wood Memorial), Emmanuel  (Blue Grass),  Ethereal Road  (Blue Grass), Forbidden Kingdom  (Santa Anita Derby), In Due Time  (Blue Grass or Wood Memorial), Mo Donegal  (Wood Memorial), Morello  (Wood Memorial), Smile Happy  (Blue Grass), and Zandon  (Blue Grass).

The KDFW was postponed last week by Churchill Downs officials, who said they wanted to clarify the status of some Kentucky Derby hopefuls after April 2 stakes action.

The 5-1 morning-line favorite in the KDFW is Winchell Thoroughbreds' TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby (G2) winner Epicenter . The Steve Asmussen trainee was offered in each of the first four KDFW pools and closed at 52-1 in Pool 1, 24-1 in Pools 2 and 3, and 13-1 in Pool 4.

Messier (by Empire Maker ), long one of the favorites for the Kentucky Derby with Nevada bookmakers who continued to offer wagering on him, is 8-1. The SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Robert Masterson, Jay Schoenfarber, Waves Edge Capital, Catherine Donovan, Golconda Stable, and Siena Farm-owned colt was in the betting field during earlier KDFW pools.

One of the other top betting choices in Pool 5 of the KDFW is Lucky Seven Stable's Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) winner Smile Happy. The Runhappy   colt, trained by Kenny McPeek, is one of the headliners for Saturday's Blue Grass at Keeneland.