Breeders’ Cup News: Locked, Withdrawn, and Retired

Trainer Todd Pletcher's expected four-horse entry for the $7 million Breeders’ Cup Classic has been reduced to three, as multiple Grade 1 winner Locked has been pulled from the race and immediately retired. The Classic, which was intended to be his final start, will now mark the end of his career on the track. Back in March, it was announced that Locked would begin his stud career at Gainesway Farm in Kentucky starting in 2026.

Locked retired with an impressive record of six wins from 11 starts and total earnings exceeding $1.9 million.

Pletcher Explains the Decision

Speaking from Del Mar, Pletcher cited a combination of factors for the scratch. "It just wasn’t coming together," he stated. "I didn’t think he worked that great last week, his gallops had been just so-so, [and] he’s got a little filling in an ankle, all minor stuff." Ultimately, the horse was not progressing as needed for a top-level race.

Impact on the Breeders' Cup Classic Betting Field

Locked's departure shrinks the prospective field for the Classic to 10 horses. Entries are scheduled to close on Monday morning, with post positions for the Classic and the other 13 Breeders' Cup races (held over Friday and Saturday) to be drawn later that afternoon in the Del Mar paddock.

Check the Saturday, November 1st Race Card

Workouts for Remaining Pletcher Classic Runners

Despite the news about Locked, Pletcher's three other Classic hopefuls had their final major workouts Friday morning at Saratoga:

• Fierceness: The 2024 Classic runner-up and recent winner of the Grade 1 Pacific Classic, Fierceness clocked a half-mile in 48 seconds, finishing his last quarter in 23.80 seconds. He continued to gallop out five furlongs in 1:01.20 and six furlongs in 1:13.40, alongside maiden Hellacious (49 seconds).
  "We were looking for a decent half-mile without doing anything too fancy," Pletcher explained. "He was going effortlessly, yet you look down at your watch and it’s faster than it looks... We’re pretty happy with it."
• Mindframe: The two-time Grade 1-winning 4-year-old covered a half-mile in 49.40 seconds, with his final quarter in 24.40 seconds. He pulled ahead of his workmate, the two-time winning filly Ruth, finishing a two-length lead and galloping out five furlongs in 1:02 and six furlongs in 1:14.
  Pletcher noted: "Everything’s gone according to plan, good work, real big gallop-out. He’s as good as we can have him coming into it."
• Antiquarian: The Jockey Club Gold Cup winner completed a half-mile in 48.60 seconds, galloping out five furlongs in 1:01.20, working with the 2-year-old maiden Lexington Pike (49 seconds).

Locked's Career Highlights

Locked, a son of Gun Runner out of the Malibu Moon mare Luna Rose, finishes his career with a record of 6-1-3 from 11 starts and total earnings of $1,911,825. His notable wins and finishes include:

• Age 2: Won the Grade 1 Breeders' Futurity and finished third in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile behind his stablemate Fierceness.
• Age 3: Overcame a knee injury to return to the track, winning an allowance race and the Grade 2 Cigar Mile.
• Age 4: Finished second in the Pegasus World Cup Invitational, then dominated the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap by 8 1/2 lengths. After a few losses, he captured the Grade 2 Woodward on September 27.

Updates on Other Key Classic Contenders

• Sierra Leone, last year’s Classic winner, is scheduled for his final workout Saturday morning at Saratoga, with his stablemate Contrary Thinking set to work at Belmont Park.
• Sovereignty, the Kentucky Derby, Belmont Stakes, and Travers Stakes champion, had his first gallop over the main track at Del Mar on Friday. Trainer Bill Mott noted the horse had good energy after arriving from Saratoga on Wednesday. Sovereignty's final work is expected on Monday.
• Forever Young, third in last year's BC Classic and winner of this year's Saudi Cup, also had his first gallop over the Del Mar main track after being released from quarantine following his trip from Japan. The horse's connections, who were at Del Mar last year, expressed happiness with how he shipped and settled in.

Stay tuned to US Racing for more Breeders’ Cup News, expert picks, and Official Odds and Analysis for the most anticipated Horse Racing Weekend in Del Mar.

US Racing Team

The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.