D' Rapper, Welder meet again in allowance prep for the David M. Vance Stakes

The multiple stakes winners D’ Rapper and Welder meet Saturday night in a Remington Park allowance designed to produce starters for the track’s $150,000 David M. Vance.

The allowance, at six furlongs, drew eight older horses, including Direct Dial, the reigning Texas-bred Horse of the Year. The David M. Vance, at the same distance, will be run on the Oklahoma Derby undercard Sept. 29.

D’ Rapper is looking for his fourth straight win following a trio of victories at Prairie Meadows: the $65,000 Ed Skinner in May, an allowance in June, and the $100,000 Iowa Sprint Handicap in his most recent start July 5.

Ramon Vazquez has the mount from the rail for owner Danny Caldwell and trainer Federico Villafranco.

Welder won stakes in all four his starts last meet at Remington, including the David M. Vance. He is making his first start since the Ed Skinner, when he finished third to D’ Rapper as the 4-5 favorite. Welder will break from post 3 under David Cabrera, who on Thursday was eight wins from 1,000 career Thoroughbred victories, according to statistics from Daily Racing Form.

Welder, a winner of 17 races from 27 starts, races for Ra-Max Farms and is trained by Theresa Luneack. He is an 11-time stakes winner who boasts a 7-for-11 record on the main track at Remington. Welder could set the pace or track D’ Rapper.

Direct Dial cuts back from a two-turn mile to one turn and the distance of his last win, which came in the $50,000 Spirit of Texas Stakes in March at Sam Houston. Richard Eramia has the mount for owner-breeder Will Farish and trainer Steve Asmussen.

Remington will be dark Sunday then puts on a holiday card Monday. It has a post of 3 p.m. Central. There will be no live racing Wednesday.

◗ Mr Money Bags, a three-time stakes winner, is being considered for the Grade 3, $400,000 Oklahoma Derby on Sept. 29 at Remington, trainer Mike Neatherlin said Tuesday. He also planned to nominate the horse to the $50,000 Texas Horse Racing Hall of Fame Stakes, which runs Sept. 6 at Retama Park.

◗ Entries for the Grade 3, $300,000 Super Derby on Sept. 7 at Louisiana Downs will be drawn Saturday.