Four top Kentucky Derby prospects heretofore trained by Bob Baffert, including the highly regarded Messier, have been moved in advance of upcoming stakes, with the hope they can earn enough points in their next starts to run in the Derby on May 7, according to Tom Ryan, who oversees the wide-ranging partnership that owns the colts. The horses – Blackadder, Doppelganger, McLaren Vale, and Messier – were unable to earn points until now owing to Baffert being barred from the 2022 Derby by Churchill Downs in the aftermath of last year’s winner, Medina Spirit, testing positive for a medication that is legal to use but not allowed on race day. Ryan, speaking Thursday from California, said that Baffert encouraged the move. “He feels very strongly that despite the loyalty we have for Bob that these horses deserve a chance to shine,” Ryan said. “We feel these horses are legitimate contenders, and are entitled to try and qualify for points in the next round.” :: KENTUCKY DERBY 2022: Derby Watch, point standings, prep schedule, news, and more Blackadder is going to trainer Rodolphe Brisset, who is based in Kentucky and has trained other horses for this partnership. The other three are going to Tim Yakteen, a Southern California-based trainer who left Baffert’s employ 17 years ago after working for him and another Hall of Famer, Charlie Whittingham, as an assistant. The news of the four horses moving, and to whom, was first reported by the Los Angeles Times. Ryan said Blackadder, winner of the El Camino Real Derby on synthetic, would run in the Jeff Ruby April 2 at Turfway Park, on synthetic, or await the Blue Grass Stakes April 9 at Keeneland. Doppelganger, most recently second in the San Felipe, is headed to the Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn April 2, Ryan said. McLaren Vale, who has not raced since finishing third in the San Vicente Jan. 29, and Messier, winner of the Robert Lewis Stakes in his last start, are both currently intended for the Santa Anita Derby April 9, according to Ryan, who said McLaren Vale’s participation is pending an upcoming workout. “The Santa Anita Derby will be a tough assignment. Forbidden Kingdom,” Ryan said, referring to the Richard Mandella-trained winner of the San Felipe, “will be a formidable test.” Baffert, also reached in California, said that he “wouldn’t feel right” about the partnership not giving these horses a chance to run in the Derby. “If they’re good enough, they deserve to run in these races,” Baffert said.