Kentucky Derby Horse Profile: Locked

Oct 11, 2023 John Mucciolo/TwinSpires.com

Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Walmac Farm’s Locked earned 10 points on the 2024 Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge series following his half-length victory in the $580,750 Breeders’ Futurity S. (G1) at Keeneland on Oct. 7. The juvenile completed 1 1/16 miles on the fast main strip in 1:45.06 under the guidance of pilot Jose Ortiz.

Locked debuted at Saratoga Race Course on Aug. 5 and overcame a poor start to rally for a third-place finish in a maiden special weight dash for conditioner Todd Pletcher. Stretching out to one mile in his second appearance on Sept. 1, the son of Gun Runner showed vast improvement when powering home to an emphatic 7 1/4-length victory. His lifetime line now reads 3-2-0-1, $428,400.

His conditioner stated after the race, “He’s a colt that we always felt like the further, the better…and he’s just been a colt that’s done everything right since Day 1.'

The winner was bred in the Bluegrass State by Rosa Colasanti, and the colt brought the gavel down at $425,000 at the 2022 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. He is the first stakes victor produced from the winning Malibu Moon mare Luna Rosa, who is a half-sister to 2009 Acorn S. (G1) and 2010 Santa Monica S. (G1) heroine Gabby’s Golden Gal, as well as multiple Grade 2 victress Always A Princess.

From a trio of lifetime tries to date, Locked has registered Brisnet Speed figures of 91-105-95, which are accompanied by excellent Brisnet Late Pace numbers of 99-109-99, to this stage of his development.

Locked punched his ticket to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) at Santa Anita on Nov. 3 in the “Win and You’re In” challenge series event in Lexington. He has passed both of his route tests to date, and the youngster surely gives the impression of a horse to follow for the rest of the season and beyond.