Blazing Navarone will have many thinking of the late Henry Dominguez

Blazing Navarone will represent his late trainer Henry Dominguez on Saturday night, when he starts as the 124-pound highweight in the $85,000 O.D. McDonald Handicap at the Downs at Albuquerque.

Dominguez, a perennial leader in New Mexico, died May 29. He saddled Blazing Navarone to five stakes victories, including the $59,000 Jack Cole in the horse’s most recent start May 13 at SunRay Park. Martin Valdez-Cabral Jr. now trains Blazing Navarone.

The O.D. McDonald is a seven-furlong race for 3-year-olds and up bred in New Mexico. The race drew a field of nine for what is the second stakes of the meet that was to open Friday.

“All of our early closing stakes have seen a jump from 2018,” said Don Cook, president of racing for the Downs at Albuquerque, which also runs Quarter Horses. “People are watching and people are participating.”

Others set to start include stakes winners Another Brother, Go for a Stroll, Forger, and Streaks Bro.

KEY CONTENDERS

Blazing Navarone, by Song of Navarone

Last 3 Beyers: 77-69-81

◗ Blazing Navarone will be cutting back to one turn after winning the Jack Cole at a mile last out. He contested the pace and went on to a 2 3/4-length victory over a few of the rivals he will face in the O.D. McDonald.

◗ Dominguez trained Blazing Navarone to a 9-for-18 record and earnings of $447,576. He owned the horse with Barbara Coleman. On Saturday night, Blazing Navarone will race for the Estate of Henry Dominguez and Coleman.

◗ Blazing Navarone’s sire, Song of Navarone, was one of the top horses trained by Dominguez. He won the 2007 Sunland Derby.

◗ Enrique Gomez has the mount on Blazing Navarone from post 6. The horse will spot his rivals from four to nine pounds each Saturday.

Another Brother, by Attila’s Storm

Last 3 Beyers: 70-76-67

◗ He is seeking to win his third straight race, following a pair of optional-claiming sprints. The first was April 16 at Sunland Park and the second was June 9 at Ruidoso Downs.

◗ Another Brother is the second highweight at 120 pounds. He will be ridden by Alfredo Juarez Jr.

◗ Trainer Todd Fincher said Another Brother got his name because his dam, Hang Glide, produced a number of colts. Her first five foals to race were colts, with Another Brother fourth in that line. The first from Hang Glide was Thermal, a multiple stakes winner of $458,332, and her second, Reaper, was a multiple stakes winner of $399,470.

◗ Another Brother races for his breeder, R.D. Hubbard. He is a stakes winner of $232,019.