Cloud Computing (horse)

Cloud Computing (foaled April 29, 2014) is an American Thoroughbred racehorse who won the 2017 Preakness Stakes in only his fourth start.

For the Internet-based computing method, see Cloud computing.
Cloud Computing
Cloud Computing with jockey Javier Castellano after winning the 2017 Preakness Stakes.
SireMaclean's Music
GrandsireDistorted Humor
DamQuick Temper
DamsireA.P. Indy
SexColt
FoaledApril 29, 2014[1]
CountryUnited States
Colourdark bay/brown
BreederHill 'n' Dale Equine Holdings & Stretch Run Ventures
OwnerKlaravich Stables & William Lawrence
TrainerChad C. Brown
Record6: 2-1-1
Earnings$1,114,000[2]
Major wins
Triple Crown Race wins:
Preakness Stakes (2017)

Background
The owners of Cloud Computing pose with the Governor of Maryland and the Woodlawn Vase after winning the Preakness Stakes.

Cloud Computing was bred in Kentucky by Hill 'n' Dale Equine Holdings and Stretch Run Ventures.[2] He is from the first foal crop sired by Maclean's Music, a son of Distorted Humor.[3] Maclean's Music was an impressive winner by ​7 1⁄2 lengths in his only start, a 2011 race for three-year-old maiden horses.[4] and based upon the performances of his first crop of foals, exceeded expectations as a sire.[5] Cloud Computing's dam is Quick Temper, a multiple stakes-placed daughter of A.P. Indy.[6]

Cloud Computing was purchased as a yearling at the 2015 Keeneland Sales for $200,000[2] by Seth Klarman, the owner of Klaravich Stables, and William Lawrence. Introduced by mutual friends in 2004, the two typically buy about 50–60 horses a year.[7] Both hedge fund managers, they chose his name based upon their pattern of using terms from the finance industry to name their horses,[8] other examples being graded stakes winners Takeover Target and Currency Swap.[9]

He is trained by Chad C. Brown.[2]

Racing career
Cloud Computing prior to the Preakness

Cloud Computing did not make his racing debut until February 11, 2017, when, as a three-year-old, he won a maiden special weight at Aqueduct Racetrack. He then finished second to J Boys Echo in the Gotham Stakes and third behind winner Irish War Cry in the Wood Memorial.[2] He earned enough points from these races to qualify on the 2017 Road to the Kentucky Derby. However, his connections elected to bypass the race,[10] instead starting their Champagne Stakes winner, Practical Joke, who finished fifth.[11]

Cloud Computing was one of the more highly regarded "new shooters" for the Preakness Stakes, a race which is typically won by horses who had earlier raced in the Kentucky Derby. The two favorites in the Preakness, Always Dreaming and Classic Empire, had finished first and fourth respectively in the Derby. These two went to an early lead and set a solid pace while Cloud Computing rated a few lengths behind in third. Around the final turn, Classic Empire surged to the front and Always Dreaming dropped back. In mid-stretch, Classic Empire had a three-length lead and looked the likely winner before Cloud Computing angled out from traffic and started closing ground rapidly. Classic Empire tried to rally but could not hold off Cloud Computing, who won by a head.[12][13]

Cloud Computing (on the outside) closes ground on Classic Empire as they near the finish line

Cloud Computing became just the fourth horse in the last 34 years to win the Preakness after not having raced in the Derby. The last horse to do so was the filly Rachel Alexandra in 2009.[13] It was the first win of a Triple Crown race for his trainer Chad Brown and the second for jockey Javier Castellano, who was riding the colt for the first time.[14][15]

"I'm not going to dispute the fact that I brought in a fresh horse as part of our strategy," said Brown. "Classic Empire and Always Dreaming are two outstanding horses and our strategy was, if we were going to ever beat them, let's take them on two weeks' rest when we have six, and it worked."[14]

"It's incredibly special," said Klarman. "He's a great horse. I have the best trainer and the best jockey going for me. I never imagined it, but I'm thrilled." Klarman had grown up in Baltimore just a few blocks away from Pimlico and attended many runnings of the Preakness including Secretariat's win in 1973.[7]

Cloud Computing was then given some time off before finishing fifth in the Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga on July 29. He followed up with a ninth place finish in the Travers Stakes on August 26.[2]

Statistics
Date Age Distance Race Grade Track Odds Field Finish Winning Time Margin
Win/(Loss)		 Jockey Ref
Feb 11, 2017 3 6 furlongs Maiden Special Weight Maiden Aqueduct Racetrack 1.15 5 1 1:11.31 ​1 3⁄4 lengths Manuel Franco [16]
Mar 4, 2017 3 ​1 1⁄16 miles Gotham Stakes III Aqueduct Racetrack 7.90 7 2 1:46.34 (​3 1⁄2 lengths) Manuel Franco [17]
Apr 8, 2017 3 ​1 1⁄8 miles Wood Memorial II Aqueduct Racetrack 2.40 8 3 1:50.91 (7 lengths) Irad Ortiz Jr. [18]
May 20, 2017 3 ​1 3⁄16 miles Preakness Stakes I Pimlico Racetrack 13.40 10 1 1:55.98 Head Javier Castellano [12]
July 29, 2017 3 ​1 1⁄8 miles Jim Dandy Stakes II Saratoga 1.20 5 5 1:50.69 (​5 1⁄2 lengths) Javier Castellano [19]
Aug 26, 2017 3 ​1 1⁄4 miles Travers Stakes I Saratoga 10.90 12 8 2:01.19 (​11 1⁄4 lengths) Javier Castellano [20]

Pedigree
Pedigree of Cloud Computing, dark bay or brown colt, 2014[1]
Sire
Maclean's Music (USA)
2008		 Distorted Humor (USA)
1993		 Forty Niner Mr Prospector
File
Danzig's Beauty Danzig
Sweetest Chant
Forest Music (USA)
2001		 Unbridled's Song Unbridled
Trolley Song
Defer West Gone West
Defer
Dam
Quick Temper (USA)
2001		 A P Indy (USA)
1989		 Seattle Slew Bold Reasoning
My Charmer
Weekend Surprise Secretariat
Lassie Dear
Halo America (USA)
1990		 Waquoit Relaunch
Grey Parlo
Ameriangel Halo
Ameriturn (family: 8-g)
gollark: What's the abbreviation for lunar month?
gollark: Okay, updating.
gollark: Interesting.
gollark: I could add Fn as an option too I guess.
gollark: Maybe it should be capitalized differently? It's a microfortnight.

References
  1. "Cloud Computing pedigree". Equineline. Retrieved May 20, 2017.
  2. "Cloud Computing Profile". www.equibase.com. Retrieved August 26, 2017.
  3. "Empire Maker, Distorted Humor Progeny Thrive at Pimlico". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved May 20, 2017.
  4. "Santa Anita Park - March 19, 2011 - Race 8". Equibase. March 19, 2011. Retrieved 21 May 2017.
  5. Fierro, Robert D. "The Final Score: Maclean's Music Tops List". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved May 20, 2017.
  6. "Quick Temper Profile". www.equibase.com. Retrieved May 20, 2017.
  7. Walker, Childs. "Viola's Always Dreaming fades down the stretch as Cloud Computing wins Preakness". Sun-Sentinel.com. Retrieved 21 May 2017.
  8. Crosbie, Jack (May 20, 2017). "How Preakness Winner Cloud Computing Got His Nerdy Name". Inverse. Retrieved May 20, 2017.
  9. "Klaravich Stables, Inc. and Lawrence, William H." Equibase. Retrieved 21 May 2017.
  10. "Cloud Computing to Bypass KY Derby, Point for Preakness". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved May 20, 2017.
  11. "Practical Joke". Equibase. Retrieved 21 May 2017.
  12. "Preakness Stakes" (PDF). Equibase. Retrieved May 20, 2017.
  13. Culpepper, Chuck. "Cloud Computing holds off Classic Empire to win Preakness at Pimlico". Washington Post. Retrieved 21 May 2017.
  14. Balan, Jeremy. "Cloud Computing Wears Down Classic Empire in Preakness". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved 21 May 2017.
  15. "Gunnevera to get Mike Smith as rider in Preakness". USA TODAY. Retrieved May 21, 2017.
  16. "Chart for Maiden Special Weight on Feb 11, 2017". Equibase. Retrieved May 20, 2017.
  17. "Gotham Stakes". Equibase. Retrieved May 20, 2017.
  18. "Wood Memorial". Equibase. Retrieved May 20, 2017.
  19. "Chart of the Jim Dandy". www.equibase.com. Retrieved 27 August 2017.
  20. "Chart of the Travers". www.equibase.com. Retrieved 27 August 2017.
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