Cocked and Loaded fires winning salvo in Tremont S.

Colonel John, the leading Third-crop sire of winners, has a rising star on his roster with Cocked and Loaded, who ran his record to a perfect 2-for-2 with a come-from-behind victory in the $250,000 Tremont S. Friday at Belmont Park.

After breaking very alertly from rail, Irad Ortiz, Jr. let Cocked and Loaded settle into a comfortable rhythm, letting a trio of foes rush past on his outside. Ortiz kept his spot along the rail just behind the top flight for the trip around the turn, then swung three wide a quarter mile from home. 

Cocked and Loaded took aim on Paynes Prairie, catching him with a furlong to run, then dug in gamely to win by a neck in 1:04.17 for the 5 ½ furlongs.

Winner of his debut at Keeneland on April 9, Cocked and Loaded has now earned an even $160,000 in his two victories. He was sold to his current owners, Richard Raven and Patricia’s Hope LLC following the Keeneland score.

Colonel John, with 33 winners to date this year, trails only fellow WinStar sire Pioneerof the Nile (sire of Derby and Preakness winner American Pharoah), in the progeny earnings rankings on the Third Crop Sire list.