‘Loaded’ Looks to Atone in A-W Futurity

Cocked and Loaded (Colonel John), sixth as the favorite in Saratoga’s GIII Sanford S. July 25, looks to bounce back while facing as many as 12 rivals in Saturday’s GIII Arlington-Washington Futurity. A rallying debut winner at Keeneland Apr. 9, the bay was subsequently acquired from Blue Checker Thoroughbreds and trainer John Hancock by trainer Larry Rivelli. Shipped to New York for Belmont’s Tremont S. June 5, the youngster defeated a trio of next-out winners, including Sanford winner-via-DQ Uncle Vinny (Uncle Mo), for Richard Raving and Patricia’s Hope LLC. He already appeared beaten when steadied out of it late in the Sanford, but may have finished a bit closer with a cleaner trip. Rivelli will also be represented by Richie the Bull (Benny the Bull), who defeated three other Illinois-breds here May 29 in his lone appearance. Shogood (Nobiz Like Shobiz), a debut second for trainer John Wainright here June 19, was subsequently purchased privately by William Stiritz and trainer Scott Becker, and went on to don cap and gown by a gaudy 7 3/4 lengths over Missle Bomb (Tale of the Cat) July 16. Discreetness (Discreet Cat), a 1 3/4-length graduate over Astrologist (Discreet Cat) here Aug. 6, is one of two representing Jinks Fires and Xpress Thoroughbreds LLC. Fires’s other trainee is Will Munnings (Munnings), a debut scorer sprinting over the Ellips Park turf Aug. 7. “It’s hard to tell which one is better, but I will say that [jockey and son-in-law Jon Court] wanted to ride Will Munnings and these two take turns beating each other in the mornings,” Fires said.