Thunder Agard honors trainer's late wife by winning Lineage Classic

In an emotional win, Thunder Agard edged 1-2 favorite On Down the Road by a nose in the $60,000 Lineage Classic at the Downs at Albuquerque on Saturday. Fred Danley, whose wife of 49 years, Rita, recently died, trains the winner for owner-breeder Rebecca Anderson.

The Lineage Classic was one of five stakes for New Mexico-breds on the annual Lineage Day program. The races were worth a cumulative $300,000.

Thunder Agard ($17.60) rallied from off the pace to cover 1 1/16 miles for 3-year-olds and up in 1:45.24. Enrique Gomez was aboard for Danley.

Rita Danley was a 19-year trustee of the New Mexico Horse Breeders Association. A memorial service for her was held Thursday at Ruidoso Downs.

In other stakes Saturday:

Lady Genius ($19.80) won the $60,000 Bank of Albuquerque by 3 1/2 lengths over That’s The Idea.

Lakehouse Fun ($3.60) rallied for a length win in the $60,000 Carlos Salazar.

Roll Out the Band ($6.20) was a four-length winner over favorite Mays or Mantle in the $60,000 Albuquerque Journal.

Midnightlowdown ($38.60) stormed to a five-length win over Chica’s Minister in the $60,000 Casey Darnell Pony Express.