Jeffnjohn'sthundr takes on winnners

After running Jeffnjohn’sthundr in maiden races at Santa Anita against the likes of Authentic and Nadal, trainer Jeff Bonde thought it might be prudent to get out of town before his colt got discouraged.

Whether it was the class relief, a switch to a synthetic surface, or perhaps both, Jeffnjohn’sthundr won on Tapeta at Golden Gate Fields in his first start there. He’ll try and step up in class and take down his first-level allowance condition while seeking his second straight win Friday at Golden Gate.

Jeffnjohn’sthundr goes in race 4, a six-furlong race for 3-year-olds who have the option of being entered for a $50,000 claiming tag. Of the six runners, four are using their allowance condition, while two are eligible to be claimed.

Jeffnjohn’sthundr was second to Authentic at Del Mar last November and fourth to Nadal at Santa Anita in January, that last race his fourth in Southern California. With a pair of 84 Beyer Speed Figures to his credit but still winless, Bonde sent Jeffnjohn’sthundr to Golden Gate, where Bonde has a division, too.

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“He had faced some tough horses. Was just trying to get him a win,” Bonde said.

Jeffnjohn’sthundr, 3-5 in his Northern California debut on March 15, beat maidens by 2 1/2 lengths under Juan Hernandez, who has a return call Friday.

Owing to the postponement of racing at Golden Gate that recently ended, Jeffnjohn’sthundr has not raced in more than 2 1/2 months. But he maintained a regular work pattern there. He recorded nine drills following his maiden win, once a week for nine weeks.

“He’s training real well,” Bonde said. “He’s an improving horse.”

Bonde is the Jeff of Jeffnjohn’sthundr, whom owner David Del Decco named for his trainer and Del Secco’s horse-loving son, John, a student at the University of Kentucky.

Returray figures to be a formidable opponent for Jeffnjohn’sthundr based on his victory against a starter-allowance field last time out, in which he earned a career-best Beyer of 74. Hernandez rode him that day, though, and opted for Jeffnjohn’sthundr, so Kyle Frey takes over.

Above the Moon ships in from Canada, where he won at Hastings and Century Downs, to make his first start on synthetic. He is out of this allowance condition and is thus in for $50,000.

Wine and Whisky is an intriguing turn-back play. His form is dirtied-up owing to six straight races going two turns, including most recently on turf, but he has finished first and second in three career starts around one turn. He also is adding blinkers, which he wore in those sprints.

Blaisin’ Eamon and Opera Ghost complete the field.

First post is 12:45 p.m. Pacific.