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Cloud Computing charged from behind on the backstretch Saturday to edge Classic Empire and win the 142nd Preakness Stakes, spoiling the Triple Crown hopes of Kentucky Derby winner Always Dreaming.
Oddsmakers favorites Always Dreaming and Classic Empire were side-by-side out of the gates at Pimlico and battled for the lead through the final turn, where Always Dreaming faded and Classic Empire surged more than two lengths ahead.
But Cloud Computing, trained by Chad Brown and ridden by Javier Castellano, chased him down and captured the 1 3/16ths of a mile US flat racing classic by a head in 1:55.98.
"It's a dream come true, the culmination of a lot of hard work and sacrifices," Brown said.
Classic Empire, the Derby favorite who settled for fourth in muddy conditions two weeks ago at Churchill Downs, settled for second in perfect weather at Baltimore, Maryland, with 30-1 longshot Senior Investment third, 4 1/2 lengths back.
Always Dreaming finished eighth in the 10-horse field, 13 1/2 lengths adrift, to end his bid at capturing the US equine thoroughbred Triple Crown by sweeping the Derby, Preakness and next month's Belmont Stakes.
Cloud Computing, who went off at 13-1 odds compared for 2-1 for Classic Empire, was only the second horse in modern Preakness history to win with three or fewer prior starts.
He was just the fourth in 34 years to win the Preakness after not racing in the Kentucky Derby, a move by design to boost the colt's chances in the shorter Preakness.
"Running a fresh horse was part of our strategy," Brown said. "Our strategy was to let them come out with two weeks rest and we have six and it worked."
Castellano was thrilled to ride his second Preakness winner, his first in 11 years.
"I'm very excited. He gave me a great run," the veteran jockey said. "We've been working a long time for this moment. It's special. Chad gave me a lot of support. I'm so happy."
Brown, 38, said Castellano followed the plan to perfection, staying behind Always Dreaming before making the late charge.
"He rode an excellent race," Brown said. "Everything lined up."
As for running Cloud Computing at the Belmonth Stakes in three weeks, Brown was non-committal, saying, "We're going to talk about it and what happened here. It's possible."
(AFP)
