Wings Locked Up splashes to victory in Ed Skinner

It was a rainy Saturday at Prairie Meadows, and that was perfect for the 5-year-old gelding Wings Locked Up.

Wings Locked Up ran his record on wet tracks to 4-1-1 from seven starts, battling gamely on the lead an holding off Apprehender and Welder to win the $65,000 Ed Skinner Memorial Stakes. Apprehender, who rallied from the back of the field while racing wide around the turn and into the stretch, missed by a half-length while edging pace-stalking Welder by a nose for second.

Wings Locked Up ran six furlongs on a sloppy, sealed track in 1:09.33 and paid $12.20 to win. He was ridden by David Cabrera for trainer Clinton Stuart and owner Sad Sac Racing. Gordy Florida and Weast Hill were scratched, leaving a field of seven.

Wings Locked Up raced along the rail the entire trip, going head and head with Storm Advisory through fractions of 22 seconds for the first quarter-mile and 44.93. Storm Advisory slipped out of contention and finished sixth, but Wings Locked Up continued bravely, relishing another wet-track start.

Wings Locked Up – by Munnings and out of Sixteen Spices, by Capote – cleared the maiden ranks in October 2014 by winning a $15,000 maiden-claiming race at Indiana Grand. He twice was claimed, most recently for $25,000 in February 2016, and won his first stakes race Saturday. His career mark now stands at 13-6-3 from 34 starts.