Hyper Drive seeks Classic Cup repeat

Hyper Drive will meet a diverse cast Tuesday when he attempts to win the $55,000 Cherokee Nation Classic Cup for the second year in a row Tuesday. His rivals include Rookie Season, who won his maiden in the Will Rogers Handicap in April; Perfect to Please, a stakes winner looking for career victory No. 12; and Charlie Webb, who is a half-brother to Grade 3 winner Scrappy Roo.

The Classic Cup is a one-mile and 70-yard race for 3-year-olds and up bred in Oklahoma. It is the final stakes of the meet that will close on Saturday.

Hyper Drive won last year’s Classic Cup by 4 1/2 lengths over Tuff Kid, who also returns Tuesday.

KEY CONTENDERS

Hyper Drive, by Don’t Get Mad
Last 3 Beyers: 75-74-76

◗ He is seeking his third straight win after capturing a pair of starter allowances at Will Rogers this meet, the first March 26 and the second on April 16, over Charlie Webb.

◗ Hyper Drive has used stalking tactics in his recent races and could get a similar trip behind Charlie Webb, Rookie Season, and perhaps Perfect to Please.

◗ Hyper Drive is a three-time stakes winner who races for Henry Thilmony and is trained by Randy Oberlander.

◗ The horse will break from the rail under Adrian Ramos.

Rookie Season, by Notional
Beyers: 56-77

◗ He won his maiden in the $55,000 Will Rogers Handicap for 3-year-olds last month, romping by 12 1/4 lengths.

◗ The start was the second of Rookie Season’s career, and his first around two turns. In his debut, he was ninth in a maiden special weight at six furlongs March 31 at Oaklawn.

◗ Rookie Season has worked a bullet five-eighths since his stakes win, going in 1:00 on May 7 at Will Rogers.

◗ Floyd Wethey, Jr., has the mount for Bad Boy Racing and trainer Scott Young.

Perfect to Please, by Pleasantly Perfect
Last 3 Beyers: 77-79-65

◗ He is returning to the Will Rogers surface over which he defeated open company in an April 3 allowance. The Beyer Speed Figure of 79 that Perfect to Please earned is the best last-race dirt Beyer in the Classic Cup.

◗ Perfect to Please is a four-time winner over the local main track, as is Hyper Drive.

◗ Curtis Kimes has the mount for Elada Kirk and trainer Veronica Griggs.