Ten New Mexico-bred Thoroughbreds, led by Let Him Be (pictured) and Bodie Got Gold, are entered in Sunday’s 7-furlong, $85,000 O.D. McDonald Stakes (R) at Albuquerque Downs.
Bodie Got Gold is a 5-year-old son of Holy Lute trained by Andres Gonzalez for owner Richard Navarette. The gray or roan gelding has won his last two races, including the September 14, 5 1/2-furlong Casey Darnell Stakes (R) at Albuquerque Downs.
Bodie Got Gold has won three of his five starts at Albuquerque Downs. The gelding drew post 9 and will be ridden by Alejandro Medellin.
A 4-year-old Sway Away gelding owned by V Bar V Racing LLC, Let Him Be is coming off of a third-place finish, one length behind Bodie Got Gold, in the Casey Darnell. However, Let Him Be has won four of his five outs this season, including the April 7, $100,000 New Mexico State University Handicap (R) at Sunland Park, and he ended his sophomore campaign with a 3 3/4-length victory in the November 27, $150,000 New Mexico Classics Derby Championship (R) at Zia Park.
Let Him Be drew the rail post and will be ridden by Miguel Fuentes Jr. for trainer Joel Marr.
Also, Thunder Dome would be the fourth New Mexico-bred Thoroughbred to surpass the million-dollar mark in earnings with a win in the O.D. McDonald. Trained by Dallas Barton for owners Mike Carson and Bill Carson, the multiple stakes winning 10-year-old Dome gelding has banked $960,907 from 65 races.
The complete lineup, in post position order including jockey assignments:
Let Him Be (Miguel Fuentes Jr.)
Dave’s Enchantment (Francisco Amparan)
Ancient Land (Rodolfo Guerra)
Thruthestorm (Aldo Arboleda)
Spinning Black (Jorge Carreno)
I Think I’m Here (Irwin Rosendo)
Delbert Too (Felipe Valdez)
Thunder Dome (Luis Fuentes)
Bodie Got Gold (Alejandro Medellin)
Antonios Mark (Alfredo Juarez Jr.)