Second time the charm for impressive maiden winner Locked
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SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Locked, a troubled third in his debut here on Aug. 5, rebounded with a 7 3/4-length maiden victory going a mile at Saratoga on Friday, setting himself up for a likely Grade 1 opportunity in his next start.
Under Jose Ortiz, Locked, a 2-year-old son of Gun Runner, stalked the pace, took over well outside the quarter pole, and won pretty much in hand by Ortiz coming to the wire. He covered one mile in 1:36.00.
“He showed good tactical speed today, put Jose right into the race,” winning trainer Todd Pletcher said. “Jose said he was traveling very comfortably all the way down the backside, when he squeezed him, he jumped up underneath him and finished impressively.
“The second horse was well clear [13 lengths] of the third horse and the final time I thought was exceptional.”
Pletcher, who last Friday sent out another good-looking 2-year-old winner in Fierceness, will likely look to separate those two with options such as the Grade 1 Champagne at Aqueduct or the Grade 1 Breeders’ Futurity at Keeneland, both on Oct. 7.