Cocked and Loaded makes no mistakes in Tremont
ELMONT, N.Y. - When the gates opened for the Tremont Stakes at Belmont Park on Friday, second choice Cocked and Loaded broke alertly and even-money favorite Uncle Vinny was bumped and checked. That was basically the tale of the race, as Cocked and Loaded rallied in the stretch to get up for the win, while Uncle Vinny was never a serious factor.
Cocked and Loaded, trained in Chicago by Larry Rivelli, was purchased by former insurance executive Richard Ravin and partners after winning his career debut at Keeneland in April.
Cocked and Loaded had broken poorly in his debut and Rivelli had worked with him to improve his gate manners. In the Tremont, Cocked and Loaded showed first from the gate in the seven-horse field but was quietly handled by Irad Ortiz Jr. and settled off the pace along the rail.
Ortiz worked his way to the outside with Cocked and Loaded entering the stretch and they were up in deep stretch to overtake 16-1 Paynes Prairie by a half-length.
Paynes Prairie broke inward at the start, bumping Dr. Shane into Uncle Vinny. Paynes Prairie raced on the early pace outside 4-1 Cat Tree, put that rival away in upper stretch, drew clear, but failed to last.
Swipe finished third, 3 3/4 lengths behind Paynes Prairie and two lengths ahead of Cat Tree, who was fourth.
Cocked and Loaded paid $7.40 to win and was timed in 1:04.17 for the 5 1/2 furlongs. The early splits were 22.67 and 45.94.
"We had heard the horse was available before his first start, and after the way he won we bought him pretty quickly," Rivelli said. "Irad gave him a great ride today. I've been teaching him to come from off the pace, and when he broke so sharply today I was glad to see him take him back."
Rivelli said he will take Cocked and Loaded back to Arlington Park, where he trains over Polytrack. Rivelli said he did not have a next race picked out.
Owner Ravin is retired from the insurance industry and now owns and breeds horses. He says he owns 12 broodmares.
Uncle Vinny lost his best chance when he was bumped and steadied at the start. He was checked again on the far turn.
Banree, the only filly in the field, missed the break to get way last.