LOS ANGELES — Trainer Bob Baffert, with time running out for any of his legal options to reach resolution, is transferring three of his Kentucky Derby hopefuls to Tim Yakteen, and one to Rodolphe Brisset, so that the horses can gain points and qualify to run on racing's most famous day.
Messier, Doppelgänger and McLaren Vale will all move to the barn of Yakteen, Baffert's former assistant. Blackadder will ship to Kentucky and run for Brissett. Doppelgänger has already moved to Yakteen's barn, and the others will move in the next few days.
"These are all good horses and they deserve to go," Baffert told The Los Angeles Times on Thursday. "It's just such a great race, both the Kentucky Derby and Oaks. It's great for the fans and the sport. The fans deserve to see these horses run."
