As feet go, so goes 'Thunder'
OZONE PARK, N.Y. - If his feet aren't stinging him, Lord ofthe Thunder is the horse to beat in Sunday's $75,000-added Alex M. Robb Stakes at Aqueduct. If Lord ofthe Thunder isn't 100 percent, the last stakes run in New York in 2003 is up for grabs.
Lord ofthe Thunder, the 119-pound highweight, is among 13 New York-breds entered in the 1 1/16-mile Alex M. Robb. Arjay's Flag is an also-eligible.
Lord ofthe Thunder easily won against a similar field in May in the Kings Point over Aqueduct's main track. He didn't run during the summer because of recurring quarter cracks in his back feet. He returned to the races in classified allowance race on Oct. 9 and finished last. Nine days later, Lord ofthe Thunder ran back in the Empire Classic and again was last. He hasn't run since, but has had three solid works.
Jennifer Pedersen, who trains Lord ofthe Thunder for Paraneck Stable, said she didn't make a final decision to enter the horse until the day of entries on Friday.
"He's training well, but going the extra out in a race is another thing," Pedersen said.
Alfredo Clemente rides Lord ofthe Thunder because the horse's regular rider, Javier Castellano, committed to ride Mr. Determined before Pedersen decided to run. Lord ofthe Thunder drew post 4.
Rogue Agent, trained by Michael Brice, is coming off strong back-to-back wins in open company. Rogue Agent won a first-level allowance race by 3 1/4 lengths in the mud on Nov. 7. The runner-up, Looks Expensive, who also is entered in the Alex M. Robb, won his next start. In his last start, Rogue Agent won a second-level allowance race by 6 1/4 lengths - again in the mud - and earned a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 104.
Three of Rogue Agent's six career wins have been on off tracks. The track likely will be fast Sunday.
Brice said that a wet track "moves him up a little bit, but in the past he has run very well on fast tracks. He is doing great and worked unbelievably here Tuesday."
Rogue Agent was credited with a three-furlong bullet work in 35 seconds at Belmont Park.
Norberto Arroyo Jr. rides Rogue Agent, who figures to be a pace factor from post 9.
Trial Prep, a restricted stakes winner, could be a factor in his second start following a year layoff. Mr. Determined, 0 for 10 this year, is a candidate for the exotics.