Engel has strong pair in RPDC Classic Distaff
The stablemates Lingering Smoke and Copper Flash could start as the top two choices Monday in the $55,000 RPDC Classic Distaff at Will Rogers Downs. Lingering Smoke is stretching back out to two turns for her second start of the year, and Copper Flash is stepping up in class while attempting to win her third straight race.
The Classic Distaff, at one mile and 70 yards, is restricted to fillies and mares bred in Oklahoma. Others making up the eight-horse field include the stakes winners Bella Paella and Ocean Ahumin.
RPDC Classic Distaff (Race 9)
KEY CONTENDERS
Lingering Smoke, by Mr. Nightlinger
Last 3 Beyers: 62-79-70
◗ She is coming off a fourth-place finish in the $50,000 Wilma Mankiller against open-company sprinters April 4 at Will Rogers. The start was her first since November.
◗ Lingering Smoke has registered three of her last four wins at two turns and last season was second in the RPDC Classic Distaff, won by stablemate More Than Even, who did not enter back for Monday.
◗ Lingering Smoke will break from post 8 under Jareth Loveberry, who is in to ride from Lone Star Park.
◗ Roger Engel, who is winning races at a 42 percent clip at Will Rogers, trains Lingering Smoke for her breeder, Carol J. Waller, and Mark Ray Nelson.
Copper Flash, by Save Big Money
Last 3 Beyers: 79-73-68
◗ The Engel trainee who races for Greg Frye has won back-to-back races, both for a claiming price of $12,500 and both at a mile at Will Rogers. She owns the field’s best last-race Beyer Speed Figure.
◗ Copper Flash has been flattered since her 5 1/4-length win in her last start April 4. The race’s fourth-place finisher, Stay Ready, returned to capture a first-level allowance at Will Rogers, while seventh-place finisher Ocean Ahumin came back to win a $5,000 claiming race at Will Rogers.
◗ Bryan McNeil has the mount from post 3.
Bella Paella, by Bellamy Road
Last 3 Beyers: 68-79-68
◗ She is moving back to the main track after a pair of turf starts, and the last time she raced on dirt, she won the $50,000 Useeit for Oklahoma-breds at a mile at Remington Park in December.
◗ Iram Diego has the mount for trainer Veronica Griggs.