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NYRA / Coglianese Photo

Locked, winner of an optional-claiming allowance race at Aqueduct last month in his first start of the year, will make his next start in the Grade 2 Cigar Mile on Dec. 7.

The 3-year-old Gun Runner colt, winner of the Breeders’ Futurity (G1) last year, had not raced since finishing third in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. He was given time off because of a knee injury and returned to training in August.

In his Oct. 19 return, he beat older company by 7 1/2 lengths at seven furlongs.

“He’s doing great,” trainer Todd Pletcher told Horse Racing Nation on Thursday.” He came back very well. First race back was excellent, and he’s been training well since. So hopefully continue moving forward.”

Locked breezed four furlongs in 50.42 seconds Thursday morning at Belmont Park.

The Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1) on Jan. 25 remains a possibility.

“It’s on the radar for sure. We’re focused on the Cigar Mile right now, but I’d say the Pegasus is definitely in play.”

The Cigar Mile was a good fit after Locked’s comeback win, Pletcher said.

“He ran very well at Aqueduct, going seven furlongs. So I think timing-wise, this race made sense. The stretch out to a mile should suit him, and timing is good, moving forward for Pegasus, Saudi and all those other races that hopefully could be possible to participate in.”

One of Locked’s rivals in the Cigar Mile will be Book’em Danno.

The 3-year-old gelding by Bucchero is coming off two consecutive losses for the first time in his career after finishing second by a neck last out in the Perryville (G3) and third before that in the H. Allen Jerkens Memorial (G1)

Trainer Derek Ryan told HRN on Thursday that after the Cigar Mile, Book’em Danno will get a bit of a break before heading to either the Saudi Cup (G1) or the Riyadh Dirt Sprint (G2).