Welder seeks fourth straight TRAO Classic Sprint win

Welder will be an odds-on favorite Tuesday when he shoots for his fourth win in the $55,000 TRAO Classic Sprint at Will Rogers Downs in Claremore, Okla. The six-furlong race is restricted to 3-year-olds and up bred in Oklahoma.

Welder first won the TRAO Classic Sprint in 2016 at the age of 3, and captured it again at 4 and 5.

The race has drawn a field of seven, including Scat Cat Gravy, winner of the $45,000 Route 66 Stakes last July at Fair Meadows, and recent allowance winners Catale Storm and Night Strike.

Will Rogers (Race 9)

KEY CONTENDERS

Welder, by The Visualiser
Last 3 Beyers: 90-99-97

◗ He is a standout as a 10-time stakes winner who boasts an 8-for-9 record at Will Rogers.

◗ Welder has won five of his last six starts – all stakes victories. The string of races started in September at Remington Park, where he won four stakes during the meet in what was a single-season track record. Those victories included the $159,000 David M. Vance over open company, a stakes previously dominated by the now-retired Ivan Fallunovalot.

◗ Welder’s lone loss during his last six starts came March 9, when he was third to Grade 1 winner Whitmore in the $150,000 Hot Springs Stakes at Oaklawn. Welder was beaten two lengths and earned a career-high Beyer Speed Figure of 99.

◗ Welder has raced once since the start, winning the $53,000 Highland Ice over open company April 2 at Will Rogers. He is based at a farm near the track and ships in to work and race, according to his trainer, Theresa Luneack.

◗ David Cabrera, who has ridden Welder in his last six starts, has the mount again Tuesday from post 6.

◗ Welder races for Ra-Max Farms LLC, and the 16-time winner has earned $683,151.

Night Strike, by Liaison
Last 3 Beyers: 72-67-74

◗ He cuts back to one turn following a runner-up finish in an overnight handicap over 1 1/16 miles on April 1 at Will Rogers.

◗ Night Strike won the $75,000 Don McNeill for Oklahoma-breds in November 2017 at Remington.

◗ Luis Quinonez has the mount from post 4 for Erich G. Brehm and trainer Brent Davidson.

Catale Storm, by Kick On
Last 3 Beyers: 73-62-63

◗ He won a conditioned allowance sprint for Oklahoma-breds wire to wire on April 16 at Will Rogers.