Cloud Control gives Kimmel a solid shot

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – John Kimmel is not off to the type of start he would have liked at the 2016 Saratoga meet. He’s hoping the cloud lifts Monday in the $100,000 Cab Calloway division of the New York Stallion Stakes.

Kimmel, 0 for 15 at the Spa through Saturday, sends out Cloud Control as the probable favorite in the Cab Calloway, a one-mile turf stakes restricted to 3-year-old progeny of New York-based stallions.

Cloud Control, a son of Freud owned and bred by Chester and Mary Broman, has shown improvement in each of his three starts. He was put up to first after the stewards ruled he was interfered with by Cloontia in a May 22 maiden race at Belmont. Cloud Control then beat two of the six rivals he meets Monday in a seven-furlong New York Stallion Stakes victory at Belmont on June 26.

“He’s a nice, big, strong, sound horse that’s kind of coming into himself,” Kimmel said. “These are races that are obviously restricted and he happens to probably be better than most of his competitors.”

Cloud Control breaks from post 2 under Angel Arroyo.

Go Go Lucky and Dearie, third and fifth, respectively, behind Cloud Control at Belmont, look to be the main rivals Monday.

Free N Clear, a filly, is entered and would be interesting were she to run. However, she will be entered back in the Statue of Liberty Division of the Stallion Stakes on Thursday.

“We’ll wait to see what the girls race looks like,” trainer Pat Quick. “We paid $500 [entry fee] for the right to do that.”

The Cab Calloway will be run as the third race on Monday’s nine-race card, which begins at 1 p.m.

Key Contenders

Cloud Control, by Freud

Last 3 Beyers: 76-74-42

 Has shown vast improvement from start to start and his connections feel he ran even better than it may look in his last start.

 Kimmel said Arroyo “never turned his stick over, he kind of just guided him.”

 Cloontia, who finished ahead of Cloud Control in May only to be disqualified, has come back to win two state-bred turf races by a combined 14 lengths.

Go Go Lucky, by Roaring Fever

Last 3 Beyers: 69-70-71

 Was off a step slow and then had to alter course in the stretch when beaten 2 3-4 lengths by Cloud Control last out.

 Has actually had troubled starts in three of his last four starts.

 Gets rider switch to Jose Ortiz.

Dearie, by Cosmonaut

Last 3 Beyers: 66-69-66

 Leo O’Brien- trainee was widest of all and showed some late interest when finishing fifth, beaten four lengths by Cloud Control, in a seven-furlong Stallion Stakes race at Belmont.

 Did win going a two-turn mile at Aqueduct last November when ridden by John Velazquez, who is back aboard Monday.