Loki's Vengeance seeks Thunder Rumble three-peat

A year ago, Loki’s Vengeance scored a seven-length repeat victory in the $125,000 Thunder Rumble division of the New York Stallion Stakes following a layoff of more than four months. On Sunday at Aqueduct, he will go for a three-peat after being away from the races for close to six months.

The Thunder Rumble, a seven-furlong race for 3-year-olds and up, has six entrants, including Gold for the King, who figures to give Loki’s Vengeance a stiff challenge. The Thunder Rumble is the third of nine races.

Loki’s Vengeance has made 26 of his 27 starts for trainer Mike Hushion, who retired in July. The eight-time winner of $524,000 will debut for Linda Rice on Sunday.

A 6-year-old son of Frost Giant, Loki’s Vengeance hasn’t started since being eased over a sloppy track in the Commentator Stakes at Belmont Park on Memorial Day. Rice has worked Loki’s Vengeance four times at Aqueduct, including two five-furlong bullets.

“He came to me from the farm this fall,” Rice said. “I saw that he had won this race in 2015 and 2016 and I told everyone we need to try and make the race with him. He obviously likes the track and the distance. I’m just hoping we have him fit enough. He’s been working very well, but we’ve been rushing trying to get him ready.”

Loki’s Vengeance has good early speed and should be on or just off the pace. Jose Ortiz, who rode Loki’s Vengeance in the last two Thunder Rumbles, has the mount.

Gold for the King has finished eighth and fifth in his last two starts, but should improve Sunday for trainer Charlton Baker.

He was wide throughout when he finished eighth, beaten 5 3/4 lengths, in the Hudson Handicap on New York Showcase Day. In his prior start, he didn’t handle the two turns of the 1 1/16-mile New York Derby at Finger Lakes.

A 3-year-old by Posse, he is 2 for 3 at Aqueduct, and seven furlongs seems within his reach. Joel Rosario rides.

Becker’s Galaxy finished second to Loki’s Vengeance in this race a year ago. He will be shortening up in distance and should finish well for trainer Rudy Rodriguez.

Favorable Outcome legged up

Favorable Outcome will be heavily favored to win race 8, a second-level optional claimer at 6 1/2 furlongs.

A Chad Brown-trained 3-year-old, Favorable Outcome was caught late while making his first start in nearly eight months at Belmont Park in September and finished third, beaten three-quarters of a length. He has since worked five times.

Favorable Outcome’s comeback race was won by Beasley, who returned to be narrowly beaten by older horses in the Grade 3 Bold Ruler. Harlan’s Punch finished second ahead of Favorable Outcome, and will try him again Sunday.

Favorable Outcome’s strongest challenge is likely to come from Skyler’s Scramjet, who earned a 95 Beyer Speed Figure while winning a first-level allowance after being transferred to trainer Michelle Nevin.

Favorable Outcome won his debut last year at 2 and finished third in the Grade 1 Champagne. He won the Grade 2 Swale at Gulfstream Park in his 3-year-old debut before going to the sidelines.