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 ran third in the BC Juvenile behind upset winner and stablemate Fierceness and was among the leading winter-book favorites for the 2024 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve. Unfortunately, his owners announced March 8 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 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.