Notes: Cloud Computing still in running for Travers – Albany Times Union

2017 Jim Dandy winner Good Samaritan breezed this morning on the Oklahoma Training Center track Friday Aug. 11, 2017 in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union)

2017 Jim Dandy winner Good Samaritan breezed this morning on the Oklahoma Training Center track Friday Aug. 11, 2017 in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union)

2017 Jim Dandy winner Good Samaritan breezed this morning on the Oklahoma Training Center track Friday Aug. 11, 2017 in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union)

2017 Jim Dandy winner Good Samaritan breezed this morning on the Oklahoma Training Center track Friday Aug. 11, 2017 in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union)

Cloud Computing is cooled out after his four-furlong workout at Saratoga on Saturday. (Tim Wilkin / Times Union)

Cloud Computing is cooled out after his four-furlong workout at Saratoga on Saturday. (Tim Wilkin / Times Union)

Cloud Computing and jockey Javier Castellano head to the track for a workout at Saratoga on Saturday. (Tim Wilkin / Times Union)

Cloud Computing and jockey Javier Castellano head to the track for a workout at Saratoga on Saturday. (Tim Wilkin / Times Union)

Cloud Computing gets a drink after his workout at Saratoga on Saturday. (Tim Wilkin / Times Union)

Cloud Computing gets a drink after his workout at Saratoga on Saturday. (Tim Wilkin / Times Union)

Notes: Cloud Computing still in running for Travers

Saratoga Springs

Right after watching his Preakness winner Cloud Computing finish last in the Jim Dandy, the last thing trainer Chad Brown was thinking about was the Travers.

A spot in the $1.25 million Midsummer Derby is still no guarantee for Cloud Computing, but Brown is at least thinking about it.

"It's under consideration," Brown said outside his barn on the Oklahoma Training Track after watching Cloud Computing work four furlongs on the main track Saturday morning. "I haven't made up my mind yet. Initially, after his Jim Dandy race, I probably wouldn't go on after a poor effort like that."

After letting the race settle, Brown may be willing to forgive his horse for the Jim Dandy debacle. The track was deep that day, and Brown noted other horses struggled over it (Kentucky Derby winner Always Dreaming was third in the Jim Dandy).

Regular rider Javier Castellano was on board Cloud Computing for the work, which was clocked in 49.09 seconds.

"(Brown) wasn't looking for something timing-wise," Castellano said after the work. "He wanted a nice, comfortable work. He felt great. I just let him breeze in a nice, comfortable rhythm. He did it easy."

Brown was also happy with the work, saying the track was different on Saturday than it was two weeks ago when the Jim Dandy was run.

"He has trained well since," the Mechanicville trainer said. "He breezed terrific. We have to at least consider (the Travers)."

Other Travers works

Jim Dandy winner Good Samaritan worked four furlongs on Friday in 48.84 seconds and Girvin, winner of the Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park, went four furlongs Saturday in 50.45. Both works came over the Oklahoma.

"His first work back," Good Samaritan's trainer Bill Mott said Saturday morning. "It was what it was supposed to be. He's feeling pretty good."

Trainer Joe Sharp was aboard the colt when he sent Girvin out to the Oklahoma at 5:30 a.m. Saturday, right after it opened.

Girvin finished 13th in the Kentucky Derby and was second behind Irap in the Grade III Ohio Derby in June.

"It's like he knows he is getting good and he's getting more confident in himself physically and mentally," Sharp said.

Sharp said Girvin will work again next week, probably in company, but it is yet to be decided whether the work will be on the Oklahoma or the main track.

Special race

The second of three graded stakes for 2-year-old colts will be run Sunday when nine juveniles contest the Grade II, $200,000 Saratoga Special at 61/2 furlongs.

Only two of the colts in the race have been in graded stakes. Copper Bullet, the 2-1 morning-line favorite, was second in the Grade III Bashford Manor at Churchill Downs on June 30, and the Todd Pletcher-trained Bal Harbour was fifth in the Grade II Sanford here on July 22.

Five of the colts entered in the race are jumping to a graded stake off a maiden win in their first start.

Included in that group is the Dale Romans-trained Hollywood Star, who won his debut at Churchill Downs by a half-length at six furlongs.

"What I learned in 2-year-old races is that you can't really handicap them," Romans said. "You don't really know the horses. This is a quality horse."

Hollywood Star, a son of Malibu Moon, went for $500,000 in the Keeneland September sale.

"He has trained better after that (first) race," Romans said. "I don't think he'll fool me. He has trained like a good one from day one."

twilkin@timesunion.com 518-454-5415 @tjwilkin

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Notes: Cloud Computing still in running for Travers - Albany Times Union

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