Watch: Taiba, half of Yakteen's Derby 'lottery ticket,' drills 6f

It was just over a month ago that Tim Yakteen “had a lottery ticket dropped in my lap” when he was enlisted to take over the training duties of multiple Kentucky Derby prospects from the suspended Bob Baffert.

“I’m trying to go to the window and cash it,” Yakteen said Wednesday during a media conference call. 

The veteran Southern California-based conditioner, who previously served two stints as a Baffert assistant, got his chances in the form of leading contenders Messier and Taiba. Both colts will ship to Churchill Downs on Sunday. On May 7, they will be Yakteen’s first starters in a Triple Crown race at the 148th Kentucky Derby. 

“It’s just an honor,” he said of being tapped as Baffert's replacement and the career achievement.

Taiba and Messier head to Churchill Downs after having finished 1-2 in the April 9 Santa Anita Derby (G1) in their first starts for Yakteen. Taiba prevailed in the 1 1/8-mile Kentucky Derby prep despite having only one prior start, a dominant six-furlong win against maidens a month earlier at Santa Anita.

On Thursday, Taiba had his first work since the Santa Anita Derby under jockey Drayden Van Dyke. The $1.7 million auction purchase breezed in company six furlongs in 1:12.8 at Santa Anita. 

"It was a straightforward drill," Yakteen told Horse Racing Nation. "Happy with what I saw, all good."

Yakteen caused a bit of a ripple in the racing world last week when he decided not to give Taiba a timed workout, unlike stablemate Messier, who returned to the tab with a five-furlong breeze in 59.8 seconds. He explained that the different training routines is a result of where each stands in their career arcs.

Unlike Taiba, Messier has raced six times. In addition, Messier’s Santa Anita Derby effort, when he was overtaken late after pressing the pace, came more than two months after a blowout 15-length win in the Robert B. Lewis (G3) at Santa Anita on Feb. 5.

As a result, instead of two works before the Kentucky Derby, Taiba might have just one drill. 

“No concern at all,” Yakteen explained of Taiba’s lighter work regiment. “I have to recognize that the horse, even though he bounced out of the race and looked super and continues to look super, I couldn’t overlook the fact of what he accomplished. And more so than anything, I wanted to make sure I was bringing a horse to Kentucky, to Churchill, with a full tank. It would do me no good to take a horse that I misread to Churchill and have him underperform because I over-trained him.”

It was noted after Taiba's 7 1/2-length maiden win on March 5 with Baffert that the colt was placed on the veterinarian's list for being "unsound." While on the scene at Santa Anita, Horse Racing Nation inquired about Taiba's slow-gaited return to the winner's circle.

"He was all right, (Velazquez) just took his time," Baffert said. "He was blowing pretty good, so Johnny just let him catch his breath. He's still a little heavy."

Then, beginning on March 18, Taiba worked four times in 19 days before winning the Santa Anita Derby, according to Equibase. Yakteen said he was unaware of why Taiba was placed on the vet's list at that time. 

As for Messier, he stamped himself as a top Kentucky Derby contender with his 15-length romp in the Lewis. He might have been overhauled in the Santa Anita Derby, but Yakteen is expecting “a big move forward” from the son of Empire Maker next week at Churchill Downs.

“We think we’ve not seen his best,” Yakteen said. “I think the race sets up very well. He did have an extended period between races and then did all the heavy lifting (in the Santa Anita Derby). So feel we should see a big move forward from Messier.”

Taiba and Messier's Derby chances will be aided by having Hall of Fame jockeys aboard when the 20-stall starting gate opens for the Kentucky Derby.

Mike Smith, a two-time Derby winner, again will ride Taiba. John Velazquez, a three-time winner, also crossed the wire first last year with Medina Spirit. However that colt, who like Taiba is owned by Amr Zedan, later was disqualified for a failed drug test. Velazquez will be Zedan's foil this time aboard Messier. 

“They’re my clutch players,” said the 56-year-old trainer, who has compared the duo to having Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant as teammates.

Yakteen also spoke further on Smith’s role on the lightly raced Taiba.

“He’s got a tremendous amount of experience. Mike knows the spots where you need to be during the race," he continued. "Obviously that’s imperative. In the Derby, positioning yourself leaving (the gate) and into that first turn can become exceptionally challenging to navigate.

“With Taiba’s lack of experience and Mike’s overwhelming amount of experience and success in the race, I think we will find a happy balance.”

Taiba and Messier will not be alone on their trips to Churchill Downs. Yakteen also confirmed Wednesday that Doppelganger and Newgrange would ship east to contest the $500,000 Pat Day Mile (G2) going a mile on the Derby undercard.

Adare Manor, once a Kentucky Oaks candidate, will not make the trip for that race or the $500,000 Eight Belles (G2) going seven furlongs, Yakteen said. 

Newgrange won the Southwest (G3) this winter before faltering in the Rebel (G2) most recently on Feb. 26. Doppelganger’s two most recent starts were a second in the San Felipe (G2) and a fourth in the Arkansas Derby (G1).

Entries for the 2022 Kentucky Derby will be taken on Monday, with the post position draw set to begin at 2 p.m. EDT.