Thursday works: Locked fires a bullet, leads 8 graded winners

Locked fired a bullet Thursday morning at Saratoga as he prepares for a July 4 start in the Grade 2 Suburban at the Spa.

The 4-year-old Gun Runner colt breezed four furlongs in 48.25 seconds, fastest of 21 at the distance.

Locked was a disappointing fourth in the Alysheba (G2) on May 2. Before that, he had returned from a nearly yearlong break with first- or second-place finishes in four starts, including wins in the Cigar Mile (G2) and the Santa Anita Handicap (G1).

Locked was one of eight graded-stakes winners with published works Thursday.

Locked (Gun Runner), a two-time Grade 1 winner (2025 Santa Anita Handicap, 2023 Breeders' Futurity), worked four furlongs in 48.2 seconds at Saratoga on Thursday morning. It was the fastest of 21 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Saratoga. In his last start he placed fourth in the Alysheba (G2) going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Churchill Downs on May 2 for trainer Todd Pletcher.

Runninsonofagun (Gun Runner), a two-time Grade 3 winner (2024 Bold Ruler, 2022 Bold Ruler), worked four furlongs in 50.0 seconds at Belmont Park on Thursday morning. It was the 53rd fastest of 57 works at the distance. His previous work was 11 days ago going three furlongs at Belmont Park. In his last start he placed fourth in the Tom Fool (G3) going six furlongs on the main track at Aqueduct on March 1 for trainer John Toscano Jr.

Background (Khozan), a Grade 3 winner (2021 Longacres Mile Handicap), worked four furlongs in 53.2 seconds at Horseshoe Indianapolis on Thursday morning. It was the slowest of 20 works at the distance. His previous work was 30 days ago going four furlongs at Louisiana Downs. In his last start he placed fifth in a claiming race going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Oaklawn on March 8 for trainer Steve Asmussen.

Echo Sound (Echo Town), a Grade 3 winner (2025 Miss Preakness), worked four furlongs in 49.0 seconds at Keeneland on Thursday morning. It was the 52nd fastest of 109 works at the distance. Her previous work was 11 days ago going four furlongs at Keeneland. In her last start she won the Miss Preakness (G3) going six furlongs on the main track at Pimlico on May 16 for trainer Rusty Arnold.

Gosger (Nyquist), a Grade 3 winner (2025 Lexington), worked four furlongs in 48.2 seconds at Churchill Downs on Thursday morning. It was the 15th fastest of 51 works at the distance. His previous work was eight days ago going four furlongs at Churchill Downs. In his last start he placed second in the Preakness going 1 3/16 miles on the main track at Pimlico on May 17 for trainer Brendan Walsh.

Roll On Big Joe (Prospective), a Grade 3 winner (2025 Palos Verdes), worked four furlongs in 48.8 seconds at Keeneland on Thursday morning. It was the 46th fastest of 109 works at the distance. His previous work was eight days ago going three furlongs at Keeneland. In his last start he won an allowance race going 6 1/2 furlongs on the main track at Churchill Downs on May 16 for trainer Bob Hess Jr.

Vixen (Vekoma), a Grade 3 winner (2025 Herecomesthebride), worked five furlongs in 59.4 seconds at Churchill Downs on Thursday morning. It was the second fastest of five works at the distance. Her previous work was eight days ago going four furlongs at Churchill Downs. In her last start she placed third in the Edgewood (G2) going 1 1/16 miles on the turf at Churchill Downs on May 2 for trainer Mark Casse.

Whatchatalkinabout (Dialed In), a Grade 3 winner (2025 John A. Nerud), worked five furlongs in 1:03.2 at Keeneland on Thursday morning. It was the sixth fastest of seven works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he won the John A. Nerud (G3) going six furlongs on the main track at Belmont at the Big A on May 10 for trainer Wesley Ward.