Eclipse Thoroughbred Companions and Walmac Farm’s grade 1 winner Locked made a victorious return to the races within the opener at Aqueduct Racetrack Oct. 19, besting elders in a seven-furlong allowance non-compulsory claimer by 7 1/2 lengths.
Educated by Corridor of Famer Todd Pletcher, the Gun Runner sophomore was final seen ending third within the 2023 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) at Santa Anita Park. The gifted chestnut colt graduated at second asking in September 2023 at Saratoga Race Course earlier than taking the Breeders’ Futurity (G1) one month later at Keeneland.
On Saturday, Locked was hustled from the gate by Corridor of Famer John Velazquez, who misplaced his whip early within the working, and tracked in second place as Gun It marked swift splits of :22.83 and :45.09 over the quick major observe. Locked was requested for his greatest by the flip and was in command with three-sixteenths remaining to attain underneath a drive in a ultimate time of 1:21.02.
“It was encouraging. He had been coaching very effectively,” Pletcher mentioned. “It labored out.”
Pletcher mentioned the promising effort may propel Locked to the $500,000 Cigar Mile Handicap (G2) Dec. 7 at Aqueduct with a watch in the direction of the Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1) Jan. 25 at Gulfstream Park.
“We would talked about the potential of the Cigar Mile or Harlan’s Vacation as a springboard to the Pegasus,” Pletcher mentioned. “The Cigar Mile seems slightly extra enticing after the best way he ran on this observe in the present day. We’ll discuss to Aron (Wellman, Eclipse Thoroughbred Companions) and the connections and give you a plan.”
A $425,000 buy on the 2022 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, Locked is out of the profitable Malibu Moon mare Luna Rosa , a half sister to a number of graded stakes winners Gabby’s Golden Gal and At all times a Princess .
This press launch has been edited for content material and magnificence by BloodHorse Employees.
