GI Kentucky Derby hero Always Dreaming (Bodemeister) and Cloud Computing (Maclean's Music), winner of the May 20 GI Preakness S., returned to the worktab at Belmont Saturday morning for the first time since their latest starts. Following his win in the May 6 Derby, Always Dreaming finished eighth in the Preakness, the second jewel in the Triple Crown taken by Cloud Computing. Accompanied by Hector Ramos, Always Dreaming-working alone–covered four furlongs in :49.96 over the Elmont oval's training track.
“I thought he went great,” said trainer Todd Pletcher. “We're really happy with it. It seemed like he did it very easily, very relaxed, in hand, and galloped out nicely. The main thing we wanted was an easy breeze. We just wanted to get a feel for where he is fitness-wise and, based on the way he breezed and the way he finished, I'd say he's maintained his fitness very well.”
According to Pletcher, the colt will have three more breezes before a tilt at the GII Jim Dandy S. at Saratoga.
Also targeting the Jim Dandy, Cloud Computing breezed five furlongs in 1:01.84 over Belmont's main track Saturday.
“He looked very good,” said trainer Chad Brown. “He galloped out well and is still on target for the Jim Dandy. I love where we're at with him.”
Rounding out the progress of this season's Triple Crown champions, GI Belmont S. winner Tapwrit (Tapit) is expected to register his first work next weekend following his two-length victory in the June 10 'Test of the Champion'.
“We felt like coming off a mile and a half race, three works would do it, whether we decide to run in the Jim Dandy or the [GI] Haskell [Invitational, July 30],” confirmed Pletcher.
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