Teresa Z impresses in Turnback the Alarm win

In her two starts prior to the Grade 3 Turnback the Alarm Handicap on Saturday at Aqueduct, Teresa Z had finished fourth to Breeders' Cup Distaff runner-up Wow Cat in the Grade 1 Beldame and third to the top filly Elate in the Grade 2 Delaware Handicap. The drop in class turned out to be just what Teresa Z needed, as she used a strong kick to overwhelm her rivals and pull away to win by six lengths.

Teresa Z, a 4-year-old daughter of Smart Strike owned by St. Elias Stable and trained by Anthony Margotta Jr., improved her career record to five wins from 17 starts. The Turnback the Alarm was her third stakes score. She won the Obeah at Delaware Park in June and last year proved best in the Grade 3 Monmouth Oaks.

"We thought this would be the best spot to get another win into her," Margotta said. "She's very well bred. Her third dam is Personal Ensign, who 30 years ago today won the Breeders' Cup Distaff for her 13th win in a row. So, this was a very important day for the St. Elias team."

Bishop's Pond went right to the lead in the 1 1/8-mile race and was allowed to dictate a pace of 24.14, 48.86, and 1:14.11 over a "good" track.

Jockey Trevor McCarthy asked Teresa Z leaving the gate and put her into the race. She saved ground on the first turn and then ended up between horses and in traffic nearing the far turn. Teresa Z briefly trailed in the six-horse field on the turn.

Forever Liesl, who raced in fifth early, used a wide move on the far turn to take first run at Bishop's Pond. But McCarthy took Teresa Z widest of all on the turn and joined the leaders three wide nearing the stretch.

Forever Liesl took a brief lead but was no match for Teresa Z, who won going away under a hand ride. Forever Liesl was six lengths clear of third-place Holy Helena. Bishop's Pond ended up fourth.

"I was able to sit in a nice stalking spot after the break," McCarthy said. "I saved all the ground, and in the second turn, she was just so much the best. I just let everybody go and got her out as soon as I could. When she gets that big stride of hers going, nobody's catching her."

Teresa Z paid $5.40 as the favorite. She completed the nine furlongs in 1:51.68.

Cloud Computing eased in comeback

Cloud Computing, winner of the 2017 Preakness, was eased in a second-level optional-claiming race at Aqueduct on Saturday while making his first start since May.

Trainer Chad Brown had worked Cloud Computing seven times for his return. He had three works at the Stonestreet Training Center before being sent to Brown.

Cloud Computing was rank and hard held by jockey Eric Cancel early in the one-mile race. Cancel eased him back off the pace midway on the backstretch. Cloud Computing was then passed by several horses and dropped back, never offering a rally. He was eased during the final furlong.

The race was won by Plainsman, who moved up inside the leaders, including Cloud Computing, to grab the lead on the backstretch. He won by a half-length, was timed in 1:37.78, and paid $5.80. He was ridden by David Cohen and is trained by Brad Cox.

Cloud Computing was making only his second start since the 2017 Travers, in which he finished eighth. He came out of that race with an ankle chip.

The son of Maclean's Music returned in the Grade 3 Westchester at Belmont Park in May and finished fourth, beaten a neck. He emerged from that race with another ankle chip.

Cloud Computing has now won two of eight starts and more than $1.2 million for Klaravich Stable and William Lawrence.

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