Battalion Runner works for Derby, Cloud Computing for Preakness

ELMONT, N.Y. – Battalion Runner and Cloud Computing, the second- and third-place finishers behind Irish War Cry in the Grade 2 Wood Memorial at Aqueduct on April 8, both put in workouts Saturday over the training track at Belmont Park in preparation for different Triple Crown races.

Battalion Runner, working at 7:45 a.m. and in company, went a half-mile in 49.11 seconds in preparation for the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 6. About two hours later, Cloud Computing went a half-mile by himself in 48.51 seconds. Following that work, trainer Chad Brown made official what he had previously indicated would be the case: Cloud Computing will skip the Kentucky Derby and be aimed at the Preakness at Pimlico on May 20.

Brown, who was at Keeneland on Saturday morning, said by phone that he spoke with owner Seth Klarman following the work, and the decision was made to stick with their original plan of skipping the Derby. Cloud Computing has run only three times and didn't make his debut until Feb. 11.

"We decided that we are going to pass on the Derby," Brown said. "The Derby is a rare opportunity, we have the points, we have a nice horse, but the fact we only have three races, we felt he lacks a little bit of foundation for a race that demanding. Discretion is the better part of valor. I'm going to train him as if he's going to run in the Preakness."

Brown and Klarman, who races under the name Klaravich Stables and owner Bill Lawrence, still have Practical Joke for the Kentucky Derby. Practical Joke, the runner-up in the Blue Grass Stakes, was scheduled to van from Keeneland to Churchill on Monday.

Meanwhile, Battalion Runner was scheduled to ship to Churchill on Sunday following his half-mile breeze Saturday.

Battalion Runner, with exercise rider Amy Walden in the irons, worked on the inside of Thebigfundamental, a 4-year-old maiden. Battalion Runner, who has been a bit aggressive at the start of his works, did throw his head up as he neared the half-mile pole. But after leaving the pole, he seemed to relax and went an opening quarter in 24.86 seconds.

Battalion Runner and Thebigfundamental were basically head-and-head down the lane, getting their final quarter in 24.25 seconds. Battalion Runner galloped out five furlongs in 1:02.43, six furlongs in 1:16.25, and pulled up seven furlongs in 1:31.93.

Battalion Runner was originally scheduled to work Friday, but his connections weren’t satisfied with the condition of the training track. The Saturday work was moved up from 9:30 to 7:45 due to the threat of rain. There was a light shower around 8:30 a.m.

“The idea was strong to the wire and strong gallop-out, and I think that’s what we got from him,” said Byron Hughes, the Belmont Park-based assistant to trainer Todd Pletcher, who was in Florida. “I thought the track was a touch slower at 7:45 than it was at 9:30, but I thought he was well within himself.”

Battalion Runner will be accompanied Sunday on the van by Made You Look, who is pointing to the Grade 2, $300,000 American Turf for 3-year-olds on the Derby undercard.

On Saturday, Made You Look worked a half-mile in 49.50 seconds in company with Spooked Out over the Belmont training track.

Pletcher has not yet named a rider for Battalion Runner, who was ridden in his first four races by John Velazquez, who is riding Florida Derby winner Always Dreaming for Pletcher in the Kentucky Derby. Pletcher also has not named a rider for Patch, who was ridden by Tyler Gaffalione to a second-place finish in the Louisiana Derby. Jose Ortiz rides Tapwrit for Pletcher in the Derby.

Always Dreaming and Patch will be flown to Kentucky from Florida on Tuesday.

Pletcher also has Malagacy qualified for the Derby, but he has not decided if that horse will run.

While Brown will keep Cloud Computing in New York, he did plan to ship the 3-year-olds Bobby On Fleek and You’re to Blame to Churchill on Sunday. They will run in the Grade 3, $250,000 Pat Day Mile on the Derby undercard.

Bobby On Fleek worked a sharp five furlongs by himself in 59.90 seconds over Belmont Park’s main track Saturday. You’re to Blame went a half-mile in 47.25 seconds in company with another 3-year-old, Timeline, who is pointing to the Grade 3, $200,000 Peter Pan at Belmont on May 13.