The roar of the Aqueduct crowd still echoes in the mind of Todd Pletcher as his 4-year-old star, Locked, crossed the finish line in Saturday’s Woodward Stakes (G2). The narrow three-quarters-of-a-length victory not only marked Locked’s second win in five starts this year but also propelled him into the elite top 10 of the Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic Rankings.
The weekly rankings, tracking the leading contenders for the $7 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic at Del Mar on Nov. 1, now see Locked climbing from 11th to ninth with 50 votes, a testament to his growing reputation among racing’s elite. Sovereignty, fresh from victories in the Kentucky Derby (G1), Belmont Stakes (G1), and Travers Stakes (G1), continues to dominate the rankings with 394 votes.
Locked, a son of Gun Runner, has steadily impressed in 2025, and Saturday’s triumph under jockey [insert jockey if known] further cements his status as a serious Classic contender. “He’s a fighter,” said Pletcher. “Every race, he shows heart, and the team’s been incredible in keeping him sharp.”
Other top-ranked horses include Fierceness (2nd, 335 votes), Sierra Leone (3rd, 324 votes), Mindframe (4th, 240 votes), and Journalism (5th, 222 votes). Japan’s Forever Young (6th) and Pennsylvania Derby winner Baeza (7th) round out the next tier, followed by Antiquarian (8th), Locked (9th), and Highland Falls (10th). Notably, Pletcher trains four of the top 10, highlighting his dominance in this year’s rankings.
The Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic Rankings are determined by a panel of leading racing media, horseplayers, and Breeders’ Cup Racing Directors/Secretaries. While influential, the rankings do not determine entry into the race, which is limited to 14 starters and will be broadcast live on NBC.
Race Summary Table (Top 10 – Sept. 30, 2025)
| Rank | Horse | Votes | Previous Week |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sovereignty | 394 | 1 |
| 2 | Fierceness | 335 | 2 |
| 3 | Sierra Leone | 324 | 3 |
| 4 | Mindframe | 240 | 4 |
| 5 | Journalism | 222 | 5 |
| 6 | Forever Young (JPN) | 181 | 6 |
| 7 | Baeza | 178 | 7 |
| 8 | Antiquarian | 125 | 8 |
| 9 | Locked | 50 | 11 |
| 10 | Highland Falls | 42 | 9 |
With Locked now in the top 10, the buildup to Del Mar is gaining momentum, and racing fans have a fresh storyline to follow as the November Classic draws closer.
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