Bart Seales' good-looking youngster Unlocked made it three in a row to open his career capturing Friday night’s $12,000 Enzo The Baker Stake at Maywood Park by three and three-quarter lengths in 1:58.2 over a track listed as fast despite a late afternoon thunderstorm that swept through the area.
After getting away fifth in the field of nine, driver Dave Magee put the son of Duneside Perch and Miss Major Power into motion as Sky Cam (Randy Crisler) led the field through an opening quarter in :29.4.
Quickly overtaking the early leader as the field moved by the stands for the first time, Unlocked cleared to the front as the field reached the half-mile mark in a leisurely 1:01.
In control of the proceedings as the field moved down the backstretch, Unlocked continued to show the way as longshot Bloodbath McGrath (John DeLong) moved alongside in second while the youngsters cruised by the three-quarter-mile mark in 1:29.4.
After watching that rival make an unfortunate break in stride as the field raced around the far turn, the issue was never really in doubt the rest of the way as the Nick Prather trainee zipped home in :28.3 for his third straight victory. Fox Valley Nico (Casey Leonard), who had all sorts of traffic problems throughout the mile, rallied to be second while Cotton Eyed Joe (Robert Smolin) overcame a miscue leaving the gate to wind up a distant third.
With that perfect three-for-three record, Unlocked now has career earnings of $16,500.
Bet as though defeat was out of the question, the bay colt returned just $2.20, $2.10 and $2.10.
(Maywood Park)