Despite the continuing onslaught of rain sweeping through the Baltimore area Saturday morning, it was business as usual for MeB Racing, Brookyln Boyz, Teresa Viola, St. Elias Stable, Siena Farm and West Point Thoroughbreds' Always Dreaming (Bodemeister). Preparing for an upcoming start in the May 20 GI Preakness S., the Todd Pletcher runner was sent trackward at 6 a.m. and was allowed to gallop 1 1/4 miles under exercise rider Nick Bush. The bay was accompanied by a pony over a wet track Friday morning.
“Always Dreaming I thought actually went really well,” Pletcher said. “He took a nice grip, but was settled, relaxed, got over the ground really well. I thought that in spite of the rain overnight that the track was actually smoother [Saturday] morning than it was [Friday] morning. It had a nice seal to it and was pretty consistent all the way across the track. I was really, really pleased with the way he went this morning.”
Since Pletcher's slew of Derby-week adjustments because of the colts increasing energy, the colt has been progressing nicely for the team.
“It seemed like he was really just perfect this morning,” Pletcher said. “He was enthusiastic enough, but he didn't overdo it. I think there was one horse on the track while he was out there and I don't think he ever saw that horse. It was kind of that quiet environment that we were hoping for. I was concerned because anytime that you train on a sloppy surface they can get a little more excited with all the noise that comes along with that, but he was really good. Especially after having a jog day, I thought he was even more settled than I expected him to be.”
Always Dreaming, who is not expected to work between now and the Preakness, will visit the track for a routine gallop Sunday morning at 6 a.m and is expected to round out the session by schooling in the starting gate.
Opting to wait another day, trainer John Shirreffs decided to keep the Moss' Royal Mo (Uncle Mo) back at the Preakness barn for a routine jog around the shedrow Saturday morning. Depending on the weather and track condition, Shirreffs plans to give the winner of the GIII Robert Lewis S. his final work ahead of next weekend's Preakness Sunday morning at 8:30 a.m.
“I'm hoping,” said Shirreffs. “We're not going to get a lot more rain, and they'll be working the track all day, so I think it looks good.”
Classic Empire (Pioneerof the Nile), fourth after a troubled trip in the Kentucky Derby, jogged once around before galloping an additional lap Saturday morning at Churchill Downs.
“He was real aggressive, he was on the bridle,” said Mark Casse's son and assistant trainer, Norm. “He's showing really encouraging signs that he's happy and healthy right now.”
The GI Arkansas Derby winner is expected to make his final appearance over the Louisville oval Sunday morning before vanning with the rest of the Baltimore-bound Casse team Sunday at 3 p.m.
According to trainer Chad Brown, Klaravich Stables and William Lawrence's Cloud Computing (Maclean's Music) is targeting the second jewel in the Triple Crown. Third in the GIII Gotham S. and GII Wood Memorial, the colt breezed a half mile in :48.40 over Belmont's training track at 5:30 a.m. Saturday.
“He breezed very well, galloped out super and came back good so far,” Brown said. “That's his last piece of work and if he comes out of it well, he'll be on to Baltimore on Tuesday.”
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