Yakteen says Taiba, Messier are ruled out of Preakness 2022

Taiba and Messier, the two colts who came out of the Bob Baffert barn to represent trainer Tim Yakteen at the Kentucky Derby, will not race in the Preakness Stakes this month.

“Both Taiba and Messier will head back to California,” Yakteen said in a text message Monday to Horse Racing Nation. “They came back in good shape. We will regroup and come up with a campaign.”

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Yakteen already had decided against a trip to Baltimore for Messier, who finished 15th in the Derby with John Velázquez riding. On Sunday, Yakteen said the Preakness on May 21 was still a possibility for Taiba, who came in 12th under Mike Smith. By Monday morning, though, it appeared he had made his decision to go home.

Both colts might have been outdone by the early pace that saw Summer Is Tomorrow set a record with the 21.78-second first quarter-mile that was the fastest in Kentucky Derby history. Where Smith held back Taiba by as many as 4 1/2 lengths, Velázquez contested the pace with Messier.

According to Trakus, Messier went out in 21.90 seconds for the first quarter-mile and 23.73 for the second. The Equibase chart said Messier took the lead with a half-mile to go; Trakus said he had it at the quarter pole. Either way, it did not last. As Messier retreated along the homestretch rail, he became the only horse that eventual 80-1 winner Rich Strike had to veer around on the way to victory.

“We just saw a pretty strong pace,” Yakteen said Sunday. “I thought Johnny did a great job with his ride. He had him in position. We might have to consider that there might be distance limitations with (Messier).”

For Taiba it was his third career race, making him one of the least experienced horses in Kentucky Derby history. He earned his way into the race with his victory over Messier in their 1-2 finish last month in the 1 1/8-mile Santa Anita Derby (G1).

Yakteen did not say whether the Belmont Stakes on June 11 would be a possibility for either colt.

In March, Taiba and Messier were transferred from Baffert, who is serving a suspension that covers the Triple Crown series. Had they stayed in Baffert’s barn, they would have been ineligible to qualify for the Derby.