Messier, an Eddie Woods training program graduate, won a contentious Westchester S. (G3) May 3 at Aqueduct to give the 5-year-old his third career graded stakes victory.

Trained earlier in his career by Bob Baffert, the bay son of Empire Maker is now in the care of Rick Dutrow, Jr.

Messier was looking to make amends for his disqualification from victory in the March 30 Excelsior S., when he was placed second. In the Westchester, he broke very well and was head-to-head with Adero through a quarter-mile in :23.26. Messier put away Adero entering the turn, with Charge It taking up the chase, but just briefly. Messier spurted away in upper stretch, then held-off a hard-charging Post Time to win by three-quarters of a length in 1:34.50 for the mile on a fast track.

“We were happy with the way he ran last time, we were thrilled, and we’re even happier with this one,” Dutrow said. “He’s a very nice horse.”

Messier is owned by the partnership of SF Racing LLC, Madaket Stables LLC, Landson B. Robbins III, Tom J. Ryan, Robert E. Masterson, Jay A. Schoenfarber, Waves Edge Capital LLC, Catherine Donovan, Golconda Stable and Siena Farm LLC.  He won the Bob Hope S. (G3) at two and then the Robert B. Lewis S. (G3) by 15 lengths at three. Overall, his record stands at 4-5-1 in 14 starts, with earnings of $593,690.

Dutrow added that Messier could likely start next in the Met Mile (G1), June 8 at Saratoga.

“We’ll probably point Messier to the race, I don’t know why we shouldn’t,” the trainer said. “He’s never had a run at Saratoga and I’m sure he deserves this kind of chance. After this run today, it seems like he’s just getting good again doesn’t it? We’re excited about him.”