Lake Bee should get needed pace duel in Welder

Lake Bee brings an ideal stalking style into the $75,000 Welder on Tuesday at Will Rogers Downs in Claremore, Okla.

The six-furlong race has drawn its fair share of speed horses, who could make for the kind of quick fractions that would set the race up for an off-the-pace runner like Lake Bee.

The Welder, which is named for the retired millionaire who is in the Oklahoma Horse Racing Hall of Fame at Remington Park, is for 3-year-olds bred in Oklahoma. Welder was a multiple horse of the meet title winner at his home track of Will Rogers.

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A field of nine has signed on for the race, including speed horses Chasin Jason, Norway Beach, and Legacy Account.

Lake Bee has used his tactical speed to win three of his eight career starts. His most recent score came in an entry-level allowance two starts ago at Sam Houston Race Park. He stalked in fourth going 5 1/2 furlongs, overtook the leaders, and shuttled home by more than six lengths Jan. 14. The Beyer Speed Figure of 85 that he earned is the best career number in the Welder.

Lake Bee last raced Feb. 10 when second in a first-level allowance sprint at Sam Houston. The Beyer of 78 he earned is the best last-race number in the Welder. Lake Bee, who won his maiden over Oklahoma-breds in November, will start from post 5. Jose Alvarez has the mount on the son of Bee Jersey for the horse’s breeder, owner, and trainer, Miguel Silva.

Chasin Jason is undefeated in two starts and as a stakes winner is the most accomplished member of the field. He accounted for the $50,000 Don McNeill in his most recent start Nov. 10 at Remington. He was prominent throughout the mile race.

One start earlier, Chasin Jason wired his rivals in a maiden special weight sprint at Remington. He will break from the rail Tuesday and figures to show his customary speed. Regular rider Harry Hernandez is in from his Oaklawn base for the horse’s breeder, owner, and trainer, Patrick Swan.

Norway Beach wired his rivals in the mud in a maiden special weight sprint in his last start Dec. 15 at Remington. Gerardo Mora, aboard for trainer Joe Offolter, again has the mount.

Legacy Account is seeking his third straight win. He’s wired his rivals in his last two starts, a maiden special weight and an entry-level allowance, both at Remington. For his win last out, he earned a Beyer of 71.

A speed duel up front might also serve the cause of Power Slam. He was knocking on the door in stakes company last season at Remington, finishing third against open company in the Kip Deville and second in the Oklahoma Classics Night Juvenile. Dream Walkin Farms bred and owns the son of Dialed In, who is trained by Federico Villafranco.

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