Hyper Drive, Tuff Kid continue rivalry in Cherokee Nation

The frequent rivals Hyper Drive and Tuff Kid will clash again Tuesday in the $55,000 Cherokee Nation Classic Cup at Will Rogers Downs. It will be the sixth time the two have met since the beginning of 2016.

The Cherokee Nation Classic Cup at one mile and 70 yards is for 3-year-olds and up bred in Oklahoma. A field of six is set, including Johnny Whip, a six-time stakes winner making a rare start around two turns, and Lingerlonger, a stakes winner racing for the first time since October.

Hyper Drive has won two stakes over Tuff Kid, while Tuff Kid defeated Hyper Drive when they last met in a two-turn allowance April 4 at Will Rogers. Both horses are 4-year-olds by the stallion Don’t Get Mad.

Cherokee Nation Classic Cup (Race 10)

KEY CONTENDERS

Tuff Kid, by Don’t Get Mad
Last 3 Beyers: 80-82-71

◗ He comes into Tuesday’s race on top of his game. He has won back-to-back allowances over open company at Will Rogers, taking a one-mile race by one length over Hyper Drive and returning April 25 for a nose win at the distance of the Cherokee Nation Classic Cup in his most recent start.

◗ Tuff Kid has since worked a bullet half-mile in 47.20 seconds at Will Rogers on May 8.

◗ Tuff Kid is looking for his first stakes win after running second in three stakes appearances, among them the $55,000 Will Rogers Handicap last May. He is from a stakes-winning mare, Tuff Chick, who earned $385,683.

◗ Tuff Kid will break from post 2 under Jose Medina. Jearl “Ace” Hare trains Tuff Kid for Randy Hare and Patrick DaSilva.

Hyper Drive, by Don’t Get Mad
Last 3 Beyers: 80-69-75

◗ He won the $50,000 Oklahoma Stallion Stakes at seven furlongs and the $50,000 Jim Thorpe at a mile during the 2016 meet at Remington. Both victories came over runner-up Tuff Kid.

◗ Hyper Drive was the runner-up to Tuff Kid in the allowance April 4, his most recent start. Since then, Hyper Drive has worked twice at Will Rogers, including a half-mile in 47.60 seconds on May 2.

◗ Lindey Wade has the mount from the rail for trainer Randy Oberlander.

Lingerlonger, by Mr. Nightlinger
Last 3 Beyers: 83-65-83

◗ A winner on dirt and turf, he exits a sixth-place finish in an optional $50,000 claiming race on grass Oct. 29 at Remington. Fourth-place finisher Code West returned in his next start to win the $150,000 Zia Park Championship.