Messier, Sir London prep for showdown in Robert Lewis Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. - Messier, runner-up in the Grade 2 Los Alamitos Futurity on Dec. 11, and Sir London, a romping maiden winner at Los Alamitos in his last start Dec. 4, both worked Sunday morning for an anticipated meeting one week later in the Grade 3, $200,000 Robert Lewis Stakes at 1 1/16 miles at Santa Anita.

The Lewis offers 17 qualifying points overall, including 10 to the winner, toward the Kentucky Derby on May 7.

Messier, working in company, was timed in 59.40 seconds for five furlongs. The time was the fastest of 70 at the distance. Messier is trained by Bob Baffert, who nominated 11 to the race and said he could have more than one entry.

Sir London, trained by Simon Callaghan, went four furlongs in 47.40 seconds. He was a 10-length winner going a mile in his last start, the third of his career, but his first going two turns after a pair of runner-up finishes sprinting.

:: Win big at Santa Anita: Get DRF Past Performances, Picks, Clocker Reports and Betting Strategies.