Class drop should help Society's Thunder break through
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ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Society’s Thunder has been a model of consistency this year while failing to find the winner’s circle. The hard-luck 6-year-old is dropping to the right spot in Thursday’s featured conditioned allowance/optional claimer and could prevail with a pace setup that should be to his benefit.
A bargain $14,000 claim in 2023 by owner-trainer Dominic Polsinelli, Society’s Thunder won 3 of 12 starts and more than $100,000 last year. The versatile gelding got home on top in his May 18 season opener before getting disqualified to sixth for causing interference in the stretch.
Society’s Thunder continued to compete in conditioned allowance/optional claimers until the fall, while finishing either second or third. In the restricted Overskate Stakes on Oct. 26, he got hung out four wide on the first turn before closing from fifth to finish a close third in the 7 1/2-furlong inner turf tilt.
Society’s Thunder seemed overmatched against the likes of Nobals and Lucky Score most recently in the Grade 2 Kennedy Road. After racing in fourth through the turn, he came rolling at the end and was bumped late before finishing a lapped-on fourth. Runner-up Lucky Score caused the interference and was disqualified to fourth, while Society’s Thunder was placed third.
Daisuke Fukumoto inherits the mount on Society’s Thunder from the injured Jose Campos and will break him from post 4 in a compact field that includes front-runners Babbo and The Great Oz.
Babbo, the 2023 Coronation Futurity winner, dropped off a poor showing to beat first-level allowance/$32,000 claimers in a field devoid of other speed Nov. 14.
Breaking from the rail, Babbo will likely have to deal with The Great Oz, who prevailed two back with a $32,000 tag before another strong showing most recently. The hard-knocking veteran led all the way then before drifting out late into the path of War Bomber, who was subsequently placed first in an easy call by the stewards.
The Great Oz usually runs well from an outside draw and gets post 6 with Eswan Flores back riding for trainer Marty Drexler.
Megalodon, the lone 3-year-old in the lineup, is in with a chance, even though he hasn’t started since finishing third behind future King’s Plate winner Mansetti in the June 28 Marine Stakes. He has been working right along and was able to keep up with his stakes-winning stablemate Playmea Tune when they breezed five furlongs together in a quick 1:00.60 on Nov. 7. Playmea Tune won a tough conditioned allowance a week later with a 94 Beyer Speed Figure.
Rafael Hernandez retains the mount on Megalodon for trainer Josie Carroll, who has mediocre numbers with 61- to 180-day layoff runners.
Summer Commander peaked in the summer into late September, during which he won two allowances and ran second in the restricted Elgin Stakes. His last two races at this level were disappointing.
Completing the field is Ironstone, who hasn’t won in nearly two years.
Post time for the seven-race program is 5:30 p.m.
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