ARCADIA, Calif. – The track was fast, and Messier motored over it Saturday at Santa Anita. In his first workout since finishing second in the Santa Anita Derby on April 9, Messier worked five furlongs under Drayden Van Dyke in 59.80 seconds over a surface that produced fast times. As a point of reference, Grade 1-placed Stilleto Boy worked five furlongs Saturday in 58.80 seconds. Messier is one of two Kentucky Derby contenders who are trained by Tim Yakteen; Santa Anita Derby winner Taiba and Messier will have their final workout at Santa Anita before shipping to Churchill Downs on May 1. Messier worked by himself at 7:50 Saturday morning in a workout that Yakteen planned as a “maintenance” drill. Messier broke off at the half-mile pole, cruised along, hit the wire in 47.20 according to Santa Anita clockers, and worked another furlong past the finish with minimal encouragement. Yakteen had him galloping out six furlongs in 1:12. :: KENTUCKY DERBY 2022: Point standings, prep schedule, news, and more Yakteen said the intention of the workout was “let him stretch his legs, keep the air in his lungs, and keep our tank full. That was accomplished. We’re very happy with the drill. He was doing it comfortably, doing it within himself, Drayden had plenty of horse.” John Velazquez will ride Messier in the Kentucky Derby, having ridden him to a 15-length victory in the Grade 3 Robert B. Lewis Stakes on Feb. 6 prior to his runner-up finish in the Santa Anita Derby. Although he will have one more workout before shipping to Churchill Downs, Messier’s workout Saturday suggests no imminent change to his running style. Messier’s attribute is speed, a weapon he is likely to employ in the Kentucky Derby. The runner-up finish by Messier in the Santa Anita Derby was his first start in two months, and his first for Yakteen. Bob Baffert, who is serving a 90-day suspension, previously trained Messier. Although Messier did not win the Santa Anita Derby, he ran well in defeat after pressing race favorite Forbidden Kingdom. “How are you going to beat Forbidden Kingdom?” Yakteen said. “You let him go, he keeps going. You press him, you may pay the price.” Messier finished 2 1/4 lengths behind Taiba in the Santa Anita Derby, while 10 lengths clear of third-place finisher Happy Jack. ** Adare Manor will not run in the Kentucky Oaks, Yakteen confirmed Saturday. He said Adare Manor, runner-up in the Santa Anita Oaks, could target the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes on May 20 at Pimlico.