Thunder Agard stretches out in Jack Cole Stakes

Thunder Agard will be making a couple of significant moves on Saturday, when he starts as the probable favorite in the $45,000 Jack Cole Stakes at SunRay Park in Farmington, N.M. He is returning to a track over which he is 2 for 2, and also is stretching back out to the two-turn configuration that has produced his last four wins on form.

The Jack Cole is a mile race for New Mexico-bred 3-year-olds and up. The field of eight also includes Shining Source, who has placed in two stakes in his last three starts; E P Who, chasing his fifth straight win after being placed first in an allowance in March; and Desert Jack, a stakes winner out for career victory No. 12.

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KEY CONTENDERS

Thunder Agard (Last 3 Beyers: 63-69-53)

◗ He is stretching out off a close third-place finish in the $60,000 University of New Mexico Handicap, a seven-furlong race at The Downs at Albuquerque. Thunder Agard pushed quick fractions of 22.05 seconds for the opening quarter and 44.36 for the half-mile before finishing a neck behind multiple stakes winner That’s Who.

◗ Thunder Agard won his biggest race at 1 1/16 miles, in last year’s $60,000 Lineage at Albuquerque. His other route wins on form include an optional $15,000 claiming race at a mile last November at Zia Park.

◗ Thunder Agard could show the way in the Jack Cole or track E P Who, a runner making a rare two-turn start off three straight sprint wins at Albuquerque.

◗ Elvin Gonzalez has the mount on Thunder Agard for owner Rebecca L. Anderson and trainer Fred Danley.

E P Who (Last 3 Beyers: 75-66-72)

◗ He is making his SunRay debut, and his natural speed should serve him well on the six-furlong track in Farmington.

◗ Jorge Bourdieu has the mount for trainer Sherry Armstrong, who is 6 for 15 in 2015.