Zia Park will host the $50,000 Herman Jefferson Stakes for distance horses on Sunday.

© Coady Photography

HOBBS, NM—SEPTEMBER 29, 2017—Seven distance specialists, headed by Danisia Guzman Contreras’ Fire Thorn, have been entered in Sunday’s 870-yard, $50,000 Herman Jefferson Stakes at Zia Park.

A 6-year-old Shazoom gelding trained by Cynthia Gonzalez, Fire Thorn is coming off of a wire-to-wire, 1 3/4-length victory in an 870-yard allowance-optional claiming ($20,000) race at Albuquerque Downs on September 3. Fire Thorn’s season resume includes a second-place finish, 1 1/4 lengths behind winner Rock A Billy, in the July 23, $50,000-added AQHA Albuquerque Distance Challenge Stakes (G3).

Fire Thorn drew the rail post and will be ridden by Duane Sterling.

The complete lineup, in post position order including jockey assignments and morning-line odds:

1. Fire Thorn (Duane Sterling), 5-2
2. Streaks Famous Eagle (Esgar Ramirez), 12-1
3. Streakin Zoomer (Frank Reyes), 15-1
4. Linda Tee Fire (Alejandro Medellin), 8-5
5. Billy Big Rock (Larry Gamez)
6. Dashing For Jewel (Ruby Gonzalez), 8-1
7. The Patriot Game (Jose Enrique Ortiz), 6-1