Locked

Locked got off to a troubled start in his career debut and trained the 10-horse field Aug. 5, 2023, in a three-quarter-mile maiden special weight race at Saratoga Race Course. The chestnut colt by Gun Runner showed determination by closing from far back to finish third in a promising first career start.

Trainer Todd Pletcher brought him back four weeks later in a one-mile race at Saratoga and Locked proved much the best in a 7 ¼-length romp.

Sent off as the odds-on favorite in his stakes debut in the $600,000, Grade 1 Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity, Locked seized command in the stretch, battled back bravely after being headed by The Wine Steward, and edged away to prevail by a half-length in 1:45.06 for 1 1/16 miles at Keeneland.

The Breeders’ Futurity is a Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series race for the FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, granting Locked an expenses-paid berth in the $2 million race Nov. 3 at Santa Anita Park. Locked subsequently ran third in the BC Juvenile behind Fierceness.

Locked was among the leading winter-book favorites for the 2024 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve. Unfortunately, his owners announced March 8, 2023, that he would miss the Derby and other Triple Crown races due to a left knee injury that required a lengthy rest period to heal. Locked remained on the sidelines until making his return to the racetrack with a seven-length win in a seven-furlong allowance optional claiming race at Belmont at the Big A on Oct. 19.

Locked was then ready to make his return to the stakes ranks and did so in the Grade 2 $500,000 Cigar Mile Handicap presented by Twinspires.com on Dec. 7 at Aqueduct. Sent off as the 2.15-1 favorite atop a 10-horse field in the Cigar Mile, Locked stalked the pace in mid-pack under jockey John Velazquez, made a wide move into contention on the turn, and then passed the leaders in the stretch and extended to a 1 1/2-length victory in a time of 1:34.52 on a fast track.

Locked continued his comeback with the first start of his 4-year-old season when he finished second in the Grade 1 $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes going 1 1/8 miles at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 25,2025.

Locked then turned his attention westward when pointed to the Grade 1 $300,000 Santa Anita Handicap presented by Yaamava' Resort & Casino going 1 1/4 miles at Santa Anita on March 1. Locked topped an eight-horse field in the venerable "Big Cap" as the 0.70-1 favorite, and none of the seven challengers was able to even make him break a sweat when all was said and done. Locked stalked the pace, moved into position wide on the turn, confronted the leader at the top of the stretch, and then blew away the field in the lane on his way to a dominant 8 1/2-length victory under jockey Jose Ortiz.

Locked was produced by the winning Malibu Moon mare Luna Rosa, a half-sister to multiple Grade 1 winner Gabby’s Golden Gal and multiple graded stakes winner Always a Princess.