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Cloud Computing had just three races to his name entering the 2017 Preakness. Now with a victory at Pimlico on Saturday afternoon, he has one big entry on his resume. Always Dreaming had Triple Crown hopes pinned to his name. Now he has none. Classic Empire had hopes he would finally round into form after a disappointing 2017. Now he has disappointment.
Cloud Computing, with 13-1 odds, paid $28.80. For much of the race the Preakness looked like we expected. Classic Empire finished second, and Senior Investment third. The Kentucky Derby winner, Always Dreaming, came in eighth of the 10-horse field.
Always Dreaming and Classic Empire broke from the fourth and fifth gates, ran straight to the front, and Always Dreaming led with Classic Empire stalking about a head behind. One quarter mile. One half mile. Three quarter miles.
Around the turn Classic Empire began to pull away. Always Dreaming was done. Classic Empire stretched his lead to a length, then two, then three down the front stretch. Redemption at last.
But no. Cloud Computing, who finished second in the Grade 3 Gotham and third in the Grade 2 Wood Memorial, began to show why he had some talk as a viable longshot. He thundered back and went head-to-head with Classic Empire as they approached the finish line, passing him by just enough to give jockey Javier Castellano and trainer Chad Smith the victory.
While everyone will regroup for the Belmont Stakes, set for June 10 in New York, it looks like we’ll go another year before we can think about a potential Triple Crown winner again.
Below is the full finishing order of the 2017 Preakness.
Preakness 2017 Finishing Order
Finish | Horse | Odds |
---|---|---|
Finish | Horse | Odds |
1 | Cloud Computing | 13-1 |
2 | Classic Empire | 2-1 |
3 | Senior Investment | 30-1 |
4 | Lookin At Lee | 9-1 |
5 | Gunnevera | 11-1 |
6 | Multiplier | 19-1 |
7 | Conquest Mo Money | 10-1 |
8 | Always Dreaming | 6-5 |
9 | Hence | 22-1 |
10 | Term of Art | 45-1 |