Welder to kick off final season in Highland Ice at Will Rogers

Welder, who won an unprecedented third consecutive title as Oklahoma-bred of the year, is scheduled to launch what will likely be his final season of racing in April, trainer Theresa Luneack said Wednesday.

She said Welder, now 8, is being pointed to the $50,000 Highland Ice, a six-furlong sprint April 13 at his home track of Will Rogers Downs. The Claremore, Okla., meet opens March 22.

Welder has won his last four races, all at Remington Park. His wins included three Oklahoma-bred stakes and an allowance over open foes in his most recent start Dec. 19.

“He’s training well this year,” Luneack said. “He’s sound. He’s happy. This year, in my estimation, will probably be his last year, just because we want him to retire sound and happy. I guess this is probably it.”

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Welder is a winner of 26 of 38 starts for earnings of $1.2 million. He races for Ra-Max Farms.

Welder won his record third straight horse of the meet title in December at Remington, which recently announced his Oklahoma-bred horse of the year title that came through the Oklahoma Racing Commission. Since the Remington meet concluded, Welder has had minor surgery to remove a melanoma growth above the hock area on one of his hind legs.

“It’s very common in gray horses,” Luneack said. “They’re very predisposed to it. It was very slow growing. We had it tested. It was just a growth.

“When he would lay down, he would bump it. It was aggravating, so we just removed it. He’s been back galloping two weeks. He’s great.”

Welder has won 18 stakes during his career, including two runnings of the Highland Ice.

◗ Remington Park announced trials for the $380,000-estimated Oklahoma Futurity for Quarter Horses will be run over two cards, March 5-6, due to a large number nominations. The finale is March 20. The meet opens March 4.