Dancing Diva favored in Oklahoma Stallion Stakes

Dancing Diva, perhaps the top 2-year-old Oklahoma-bred filly last season, should start as a strong favorite in the $50,000 Oklahoma Stallion Stakes at Will Rogers Downs on Saturday. She takes on eight rivals in the one-mile race for 3-year-old fillies, including Zealous Vision and Fly Above It All.

The Oklahoma Stallion Stakes, which is for the offspring of eligible stallions, is one of two restricted stakes on the card. Will Rogers is also hosting the $50,000 colts and geldings division of the Oklahoma Stallion Stakes.

Dancing Diva was an 8 1/2-length winner of the 2-year-old fillies division of the Oklahoma Stallion Stakes last November at Remington Park. The race came two starts after she romped by 6 1/2 lengths in her debut, a maiden special weight race on Sept. 28. The races were both sprints, and Dancing Diva will be seeking her first two-turn win Saturday.

“I really don’t think the distance is going to be a problem,” said Boyd Caster, who trains Dancing Diva for Harmony Stable.

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Key contenders

Oklahoma Stallion fillies division (Race 4)

Dancing Diva (Last 3 Beyers: 58-34-72)

◗ She will be stretching out from a third-place finish in six-furlong allowance April 7 at Will Rogers. She was prominent from the start in that race, her first outing since December.

◗ Since the allowance, Dancing Diva twice has worked six furlongs at Will Rogers, going in 1:12.40 both times.

“She’s learned to relax,” Caster said. “Her two three-quarter[-mile] works we put her behind horses, and she took dirt and responded when asked. She galloped out great. I look for her to be real competitive.”

◗ Curtis Kimes has the mount from post 8.

Zealous Vision (Last 3 Beyers: 41-45-64)

◗ She also was considered one of last season’s top 2-year-old Oklahoma-bred fillies. Among her wins are the $85,000 Oklahoma Classics Juvenile Fillies over Dancing Diva last October at Remington Park.

◗ Bryan McNeil has the mount for trainer Scott Young, who also sends out the promising Fly Above It All.

Oklahoma Stallion colts and geldings division (Race 3)

Okey Dokey Kyle (Beyers: 65-54)

◗ He is making his first start since November, when he won the 2-year-old colts and geldings division of the Oklahoma Stallion Stakes at Remington Park. He is perfect in two starts, with his other win coming in his debut last October at Remington.

◗ McNeil has the mount for trainer Francisco Bravo.

Slew Divine (Last 3 Beyers: 66-50-28)

◗ He’s moving back into restricted company after running third in a $15,000 claiming race April 21 at Will Rogers. He also faced older rivals in the race.

◗ Slew Divine owns the field’s best last-race Beyer Figure.