NEW YORK -- Cocked and Loaded rallied to beat Paynes Prairie by a half-length Friday in the 118th running of the $250,000 Tremont Stakes for 2-year-olds at Belmont Park.
The Tremont was one of the featured events on the second day of the Belmont Stakes Festival that culminates Saturday with American Pharoah's Triple Crown bid.
Starting from the rail, Cocked and Loaded was first out of the gate before yielding to Cat Tree and Paynes Prairie. Irad Ortiz Jr., winner of the first two stakes on the card, guided Cocked and Loaded off the rail in the lane, and the colt readily kicked into gear for his second win in as many starts.
"This horse is the real deal," winning trainer Larry Rivelli said. "He's a little guy but we call him `Mighty Mouse.'"
The time was 1:04.17 for 5 1/2 furlongs.
Cocked and Loaded paid $7.40, $4.30 and $3.30 as the 5/2 second choice.
Paynes Prairie returned $9.90 and $6, and Swipe paid $4.30 to show.
Uncle Vinny, the even-money favorite, was sixth.
In the first stakes of the day, Cavorting rallied to beat Enchanting Lady by three-quarters of a length in the $150,000 Jersey Girl Stakes for 3-year-old fillies.
Ortiz was aboard for trainer Kiaran McLaughlin as Cavorting, winner of the Adirondack Stakes at Saratoga last summer, got her third win in five starts.
She paid $9.20 to win. The time was 1:09.08 for the six furlongs.
