Cocked and Loaded Fires in Tremont

Cocked and Loaded accelerated through the final furlong and was up late to best game front-runner Paynes Prairie by a half length in the $250,000 Tremont Stakes for 2-year-olds June 5 at Belmont Park .

 

Entering off a debut win going 4 1/2 furlongs April 9 at Keeneland, Ravin Richard and Patricia's Hope LLC's Cocked and Loaded ran the Tremont's 5 1/2 furlongs on a fast main track in 1:04.17. He returned $7.40 as the 5-2 second choice in the seven-horse field. 

 

"My horse broke sharp on the lead and then slowed down like (trainer Larry Rivelli) told me," winning rider Irad Ortiz Jr. said. "I just followed (his) instructions: 'Sit him behind the speed;' and then when I got clear he took off."

 

Purchased privately following is maiden victory for previous owner Blue Checker Thoroughbreds and trainer John Hancock and then sent to Arlington-based Rivelli, Cocked and Loaded sprang quickest from the gate out of post 1 and led through the early jumps before dropping in behind Cat Tree and Paynes Prairie, who dueled through an opening quarter-mile in :22.67 and a half in :45.94.

 

Paynes Prairie took over the top spot as Cat Tree began to fade once they turned for home. Ortiz moved Cocked and Loaded into contention on the outside and they closed with a flourish in the final sixteenth of a mile.

 

Sent off at 16-1, Paynes Prairie held on for second, 3 3/4 lengths ahead of third-place finisher Swipe. It was two lengths back to Cat Tree, who was followed under the line by Banree, the lone filly in the field, even-money favorite Uncle Vinny, and Dr. Shane.

 

"He had been training great and I had a lot of confidence in him, which is why I brought him here from Chicago," Rivelli said of the son of Colonel John  . "I told (Ortiz) to sit behind horses and he rode him great. He broke so sharp today and was in front and (Ortiz) rode a great race because nine times out of 10 they probably would have wanted to keep him on the lead. Going 5 1/2 (furlongs) the rider would normally think he'd want to hold his position, but he buried him back there and then made his move."

 

Bred in Kentucky by Bob Austin and John Witte, Cocked and Loaded is out of the unraced Malibu Moon   mare Catch the Moon. He was a $16,000 purchase by his previous owners and David Purcell at the 2014 Keeneland September yearling sale, where he was offered by Legacy Bloodstock.

 

"This horse is the real deal," Rivelli said. "He's a little guy but we call him 'Mighty Mouse'. We'll take him home to Chicago. He trains (at Arlington) on the synthetic track just as good as he runs on this dirt track so we have a lot of options and could probably run him anywhere. We'll let him catch his breath and then plan what's next."