Cloud Computing is Just One of Those Horses That Look Like a Superstar. – Past The Wire

Thecolt awed bloodstock agent Mike Ryan the moment he saw him at Hill N Dale Farmbefore the Keeneland September Yearling Sale in 2015. He already looked good onpaper; his dam Quick Temper was a multiple-graded stakes placed daughter ofA.P. Indy. The colts second dam, Halo America, was the winner of the AppleBlossom Handicap (G1).

The colts sire, Macleans Music, raced just once in his career before injury forced his early retirement. Still, Macleans Music had posted an astonishing debut Beyer Speed Figure of 114 and his jockey Mike Smith and trainer Steve Asmussen were sure that Macleans Music had the potential to become a great racehorse.

In addition to his good pedigree, the Quick Temper x Macleans Music colt had the true conformation of a winner. I thought he was one of the best yearlings I had seen in 2015, Mike Ryan recalled. Hes LeBron James. Hes got it all: size, strength, substance, quality, and tons of class.

CloudComputing entered the Keeneland September Sale ring as Hip No. 1831. He paradedaround the ring with his ears pricked, pawing at the ground as Mike Ryanbattled for ownership. The hammer finally fell at $200,000; the colt wouldbecome part of the barn of William Lawrence and Klaravich Stables.

Thecolt was sent to Stonestreet Farms training center in Florida for his earlyprep before moving into the care of trainer Chad Brown. Chad Brown workeddiligently with the colt to prepare him for the races, though a few issues keptCloud Computing from debuting until he was three years old.

He didnt find it too easy when he finally did debut on February 11, 2017. Hebroke awkwardly from Aqueducts starting gates and had to be steadied. JockeyManny Franco took him to the inside and they began to rally up the rail,passing the two horses in the back before aiming towards the outside to take onthe leaders. Cloud Computing came rolling down the stretch to win by about onelength.

Thedecision was made to bump Cloud Computing up to graded stakes company for hisnext start, so he was entered into the Gotham Stakes (G3). The start was muchbetter for the colt and he ended up tracking the pace rather than trailing inlast and it looked like Cloud Computing would have a good shot at winning therace. But J Boys Echo would be the star of the Gotham that day Cloud Computing couldnt keep up and finishedsecond.

Nevertheless,the Chad Brown trainee had earned himself a few Kentucky Derby points. He madehis next start in the Wood Memorial (G2) in an attempt to win even more Derbypoints. Cloud Computing was off a bit slow again and had to make his waytowards the leaders on the outside. By the time they got to the top of thestretch, Cloud Computing was simply too tired to do much better than third.

Thecolt had earned himself just enough points to get into the Kentucky Derby, buthis connections opted to skip the Run for the Roses and wait for thePreakness Stakes (G1) instead. That decision ended up paying off handsomely;Cloud Computing tracked the pacesetting favorites in third before challengingthem in the stretch. Cloud Computing easily passed by Kentucky Derby winnerAlways Dreaming and took aim at the Two-Year Old Champion Classic Empire.

ClassicEmpire tried his hardest to hold off his rival, but Cloud Computing wasdetermined to win. He charged at Classic Empire and stuck his head in front inthe final strides of the race, becoming the 13-1 upset winner.

CloudComputings Preakness Stakes victory was the first Classic win for trainer ChadBrown and his owners William Lawrence and Klaravich Stables.

CloudComputing would struggle to win another race after the Preakness Stakes. Hefinished last in the Jim Dandy (G2) off of two months rest, following that upwith an 8th place finish in the Travers Stakes (G1). A bone chip was found inthe colts front ankle in September and was surgically removed.

Thehorse returned as a four-year old in 2018, but failed to win either of his twostarts. He was telling his connections that he didnt want to race anymore andthey listened; Cloud Computing would enter stud at Spendthrift Farm.

Though Cloud Computing hadnt been able to win again after the Preakness Stakes (G1), he had run well in some important races for three-year olds. According to Equibase, he had also earned more than $1.1 million. Spendthrift Farm are confident in the stallions capability to wow breeders with his outstanding looks and desirable pedigree.

Cloud Computing is one of those horses that sells himself immediately when you see him. Hes a classic winner, but hes also the picture of what a classic horse is supposed to look like, said Ned Toffey, Spendthrifts General Manager. For him to go on and win the Preakness over Classic Empire less than 100 days after making his debut, thats pretty special and it speaks to his quality. Hes also out of a Grade 2-placed A.P. Indy mare, and the second dam won the G1 Apple Blossom. Theres a lot to like about Cloud Computing, and we believe breeders are going to love what they see.

According to BloodHorse, Cloud Computings first foal was born in New York on January 17, 2020. It will be just a matter of time before his foals begin to make a name for themselves in the sales ring and, later, on the racetrack. Until then, Spendthrift Farm and the horse racing world anxiously await the days when we learn whether or not Cloud Computings good looks and ability are passed down to his foals. So far, the potential looks good.

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Cloud Computing is Just One of Those Horses That Look Like a Superstar. - Past The Wire