March 2, 2025
TORONTO — By Matthew Lomon
Locked in
Locked certainly looked the part of a multiple graded stakes winner who has landed in the money each time out with a commanding 8 ¼-length triumph in Saturday’s $300,000 Santa Anita Handicap (G1).
Calm and cool out of the gate around the first turn, Locked, under the relaxed handling of rider Jose Ortiz, patiently stalked the pack, and waited for the perfect time to strike.
The perfectly executed dash handed Locked his fifth win, and third of the graded variety (Grade 1 Breeders’ Futurity and Grade 2 Cigar Mile), through eight lifetime starts (5-1-2).
For living up to his billing as the runaway 3-5 favorite, Locked paid $3.40.
Adjustments were Made
After running out of steam and finishing last in the Pegasus World Cup Turf (G1) on Jan. 25, Formidable Man flipped the script in Saturday’s $300,000 Frank E. Kilroe Mile (G1T) at Santa Anita.
The dynamic 4-year-old colt exercised a much more patient approach in the Kilroe, letting the pace take shape instead of trying to set it himself.
The refined approach ultimately paid dividends, as Formidable Man had just enough in the tank to steal his third graded title by a half-length.
As the overlooked second choice behind clear 4-5 favorite Mi Hermano Ramon, who finished third-last, Formidable Man paid a cool $12.20.
Still Got it
No matter the industry or field, the question, ‘What have you done for me lately?’ is used far too often. Fortunately, horses like Mindframe provide the blueprint to staying on top.
The talented Todd Pletcher trainee returned to action this Saturday after a near eight-month bone-bruise related hiatus and looked exactly like the horse that won twice and landed as the runner-up in two Grade 1 contests (Belmont and Haskell) in four starts prior.
Working with top rider, and old friend Irad Ortiz Jr., Mindframe calmly captured the $202,100 Gulfstream Park Mile (G2) by 1 ¼ lengths for his first graded triumph.
The encouraging effort as the even-money favorite paid a modest $2.20.
Unorthodox and Effective
It’s not often that a horse loses their first two maiden level starts and then goes on to win two graded stakes in a row, but Sovereignty is proof that everybody’s path is a little bit different.
After capping off his rookie campaign with a Street Sense (G3) score, the 3-year-old got his sophomore season off to a rocking start by taking the $401,650 Fountain of Youth (G2) at Gulfstream Park.
Sovereignty’s sizzling Saturday afternoon display was headlined by a late surge that gave the Junior Alvarado mount just enough to steal the 1 1/16-mile tilt by a neck.
Now a perfect two-for-two at the graded tier, Sovereignty paid a solid $8.40 as the board’s third choice (3-1).
Put it in Writing
Per sources familiar with the situation, 3-year-old colt Journalism secured multiple graded stakes winner status this past Saturday after claiming the $300,000 San Felipe (G2) at Santa Anita.
A confident showing from the Michael McCarthy charge gave way to an upset tally over 2-5 clubhouse leader Barnes, whom the former edged by 1 ¾ lengths.
The San Felipe score also came in Journalism’s first start of 2025 following a two-win rookie season headlined by a Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) conquest on Dec. 14.
Off to a near-perfect 3-0-1 start through four career starts, Journalism’s latest success paid $8.20.