Cloud Computing breezes half-mile in Jim Dandy prep

Preakness winner Cloud Computing breezed a half-mile over the Belmont Park main track Sunday morning as he continues his preparations for the Grade 2, $600,000 Jim Dandy at Saratoga on July 29.

Cloud Computing was timed in 49.40 seconds. The work was his second since he defeated Classic Empire by a head in the Preakness on May 20. On June 17, he breezed a half-mile in 48.80.

Trainer Chad Brown is pleased with how Cloud Computing is training.

"It was a maintenance work, just something to let him stretch his legs a little," Brown said of Sunday's work. "It was an even half. I liked the way he did it."

:: Get a jump on the Saratoga meet and save on PPs, wagering strategies, and more

Brown's plans call for Cloud Computing to run in the Jim Dandy, and for undefeated Timeline to start in the Grade 1, $1 million Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park on July 30.

Timeline won his fourth straight race a week ago, scoring an impressive 3 1/2-length victory in the Grade 3 Pegasus at Monmouth while making his first start around two turns.

Although he came out of that 1 1/6-mile race with some minor cuts on his right hind leg, and his right hind shoe came partially off during the race, Brown said he will not miss any training time.

In his start prior to the Pegasus, Timeline won the Grade 2 Peter Pan at 1 1/8 miles over a sloppy track at Belmont.

Brown plans to start Practical Joke in the Grade 3, $400,000 Dwyer at Belmont on July 8. If he runs well in the one-mile Dwyer, Brown said he will consider running Practical Joke in the Haskell.

The Dwyer will be Practical Joke's first start since he finished fifth in the Kentucky Derby. In his other starts this year, Practical Joke finished second in both the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth at Gulfstream Park and Grade 2 Blue Grass at Keeneland.

At 2, Practical Joke won the Grade 1 Hopeful and Grade 1 Champagne, and finished third in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile.

** Kentucky Derby winner Always Dreaming has not worked since tiring to finish eighth in the Preakness, but trainer Todd Pletcher said via text the son of Bodemeister will return to the work tab next weekend. He will likely make his next start in the Jim Dandy.