Cocked and Loaded shoots for second stakes win
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Saturday’s Grade 3 Sanford Stakes at Saratoga will have a decided Midwest flavor to it, with most of the major contenders having begun their campaigns in Kentucky before shipping to New York for the summer.
Cocked and Loaded is based in Chicago with trainer Larry Rivelli but won his maiden at first asking this spring at Keeneland before shipping to Belmont to win the Tremont Stakes on June 5.
He’s Comin in Hot finished third behind Cocked and Loaded when both debuted April 9 at Keeneland and needed two more starts before earning his diploma at Churchill Downs on June 12. Two weeks later, he cruised to a 3 3/4-length victory in the Grade 3 Bashford Manor there.
“I really thought he’d win first time out, but he was very green,” said trainer Bret Calhoun. “It was totally unexpected, and it took him until his third start before he really put it all together.”
Twirling Cinnamon launched his career last month at Churchill Downs. He overcame a rough trip to surge from off the pace and win for trainer Brad Cox.
Paynes Prairie finished second as the 3-5 favorite debuting at Churchill Downs. He was subsequently shipped to Belmont, where he finished second, beaten a half-length by Cocked and Loaded, in the Tremont before returning to the maiden ranks to graduate impressively one month later.
The Eastern contingent is led by Uncle Vinny, a runaway winner in his first start but sixth as the even-money favorite in the Tremont, and Awesome Slew, who comes in from Monmouth Park, where he won a maiden race June 27.
KEY CONTENDERS
Cocked and Loaded (Beyer: 79)
◗ Modestly bred colt has already defeated two of his top rivals in the Sanford and owns the highest Beyer Speed Figure in the field.
He’s Comin in Hot (Last 3 Beyers: 73-73-76)
◗ He’s the only horse in this lineup to have run six furlongs, having won the Bashford Manor.
◗ Although the past performances suggest he wants to be on the lead, Calhoun thinks jockey Joel Rosario can take him back off the pace.
Twirling Cinnamon (Beyer: 68)
◗ Only two of his six victims on graduation day have come back to race again, and both won.
Paynes Prairie (Last 3 Beyers: 75-78-51)
◗ Did all the dirty work in the Tremont, dueling on the lead and digging in before succumbing to Cocked and Loaded in the final yards.
Uncle Vinny (Beyers: 75-58)
◗ Deserves a mulligan after getting knocked around at the start and again near the three-eighths pole in the Tremont but must avoid getting hung wide from the outside post.
Awesome Slew (Beyer: 70)
◗ Defeated the favored Remarkable Tale in his debut, and Remarkable Tale finished 10 lengths clear of the others.
◗ Could be compromised by breaking from the rail Saturday.