Night Strike gets more ground in Cherokee Nation Classic Cup

Night Strike will be stretching back out around two turns for the $55,000 Cherokee Nation Classic Cup on Tuesday at Will Rogers Downs, and the distance move should help him as all three of his wins have come in route races.

The Classic Cup is a 1 1/16-mile stakes for 3-year-olds and up bred in Oklahoma.

Night Strike is part of a competitive field of six that includes Dobbins G, who will be making his first start against older rivals after taking the $55,000 Will Rogers for 3-year-olds in April, and the Karl Broberg-trained pair of Tuff Kid and United Patriot.

KEY CONTENDERS

Night Strike, by Liasion

Last 3 Beyers: 75-72-67

◗ He last raced at six furlongs, finishing fourth to multiple stakes winner Welder in the $55,000 TRAO Classic Sprint on April 30 at Will Rogers. The race was run on a sloppy, sealed track and went in a quick 1:09.54.

◗ Night Strike’s last win came at two turns, in a conditioned allowance at a mile March 1 at Sam Houston. Earlier in his career, he won his maiden at the same distance in the $75,000 Don McNeill Stakes at Remington Park. Night Strike’s other win came at a mile and 70 yards in a first-level allowance last September at Remington.

◗ Night Strike could get an ideal stalking trip behind Quality Rocket, a front-runner making his first start since Dec. 1, and Dobbins G and United Patriot, both front-running winners last out at Will Rogers.

◗ Luis Quinonez has the mount on Night Strike for Erich Brehm and trainer Brent Davidson.

Tuff Kid, by Don’t Get Mad

Last 3 Beyers: 70-56-55

◗ He’s looking for his first stakes win after several close calls. He’s run second or third in seven stakes, including a third-place finish in last year’s Classic Cup at Will Rogers.

◗ Tuff Kid enters Tuesday’s renewal off a third-place finish in an overnight handicap at 1 1/16 miles on April 1 at Will Rogers. United Patriot won that race, and Night Strike was second.

◗ Tuff Kid has worked a bullet five-eighths in 1:00.60 on May 14 at Will Rogers.

◗ Curtis Kimes has the mount for End Zone Athletics.

Dobbins G, by Jimmy Creed

Last 3 Beyers: 81-69-67

◗ Despite facing older rivals for the first time, he does own the field’s best last-race Beyer Speed Figure, an 81 for his win in the Will Rogers at a mile on April 23.

◗ It was the second victory for Dobbins G behind a victory in a maiden special weight at a mile in November at Remington.