BELMONT STAKES LACKS A TRIPLE CROWN BUZZ

BALTIMORE » Cloud Computing stole the Preakness, and any hope of a Triple Crown in the Belmont Stakes.

The 13-1 shot did it on six weeks’ rest, having skipped the 20-horse roughhouse that is the Kentucky Derby even though he had enough points to get in that race. With another three weeks until the Belmont in New York, Cloud Computing could return to run on his home track.

“We haven’t ruled it out,” trainer Chad Brown said Sunday. “We’re just going to evaluate the horse this week and probably by next weekend we may have a decision.”

Cloud Computing didn’t race as a 2-year-old because of injury, so he is among the freshest horses out there.

Brown prefers to give his horses a month or more between starts. Trainer Todd Pletcher also favors long layoffs, although he made an exception to run Kentucky Derby winner Always Dreaming back in two weeks. The colt responded with an eighth-place finish — the worst of his career — on Saturday.

“He looks good, bright, alert, sound, healthy, happy,” Pletcher said. “We’ll head to Belmont and regroup.”

If the Derby and Preakness winners skip the Belmont on June 10, the likely favorite would be Classic Empire, who was runner-up Saturday after finishing fourth in the Derby.

Trainer Mark Casse said Classic Empire is being pointed toward the Belmont, barring any unforeseen developments.

PATRICK SEMANSKY — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Cloud Computing (2), ridden by Javier Castellano, gallops out after winning the142nd Preakness Stakes horse race at Pimlico race course as Classic Empire (5) with Julien Leparoux aboard finishes for second, Saturday in Baltimore.

MATT SLOCUM — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Always Dreaming ride by John Velazquez moves off the track after the running of the 142nd Preakness Stakes horse race at Pimlico race course, Saturday in Baltimore. Cloud Computing ridden by Javier Castellano won the race.