Citizen Geller in tough for O.D. McDonald three-peat bid

Citizen Geller will have to overcome a number of sharp rivals to win the $70,000 O.D. McDonald Stakes for the third year in a row Saturday night at the Downs at Albuquerque. The horse, who first won the race in 2016, is part of a field of 12 that includes last-out winners Shining Source, Forger, and Diabolical Gator.

The O.D. McDonald is a seven-furlong race for 3-year-olds and up bred in New Mexico. It will go as the sixth race. Albuquerque will be placing its Thoroughbred races on the first half of its Saturday night cards this meet, while the Quarter Horse races will run later in order to be simulcast into Los Alamitos in Southern California, said Don Cook, president of racing for Albuquerque.

Citizen Geller was a length winner of the O.D. McDonald in 2016, and last year rolled by 2 1/2 lengths in the same race. Both wins came for current owner UKUSA Stables.

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KEY CONTENDERS

Citizen Geller, by Pro Prado
Last 3 Beyers: 2-58-77

◗ He will be seeking to recapture his best form after finishing a distant fifth last out in a seven-furlong allowance April 23 at SunRay Park in Farmington, N.M. The start came around two turns, and on Saturday night Citizen Geller will return to racing around one turn, a configuration at which he has won five stakes.

◗ Citizen Geller boasts the field’s best record at Albuquerque. He has won four of eight starts on the local track, including last year’s $70,000 Casey Darnell one race after taking the O.D. McDonald.

◗ Jockey Jansen Melancon, who had been based in Louisiana, has the mount for trainer Justin Evans.

Shining Source, by Source
Last 3 Beyers: 78-82-78

◗ He is a winner of three of his last four starts, with all of those victories coming in stakes races in New Mexico. Shining Source won the Johnie L. Jamison in December at Sunland Park, the Albert Dominguez Memorial in January at Sunland, and the Jack Cole in his most recent start May 7 at SunRay Park.

◗ Shining Source will be making a rare start at one turn and a rare appearance at Albuquerque.