Welder splashes to fourth TRAO Classic Sprint win

Welder ran through a sea of slop to win the $55,000 TRAO Classic Sprint for the fourth time in his career Tuesday at Will Rogers Downs in Claremore, Okla.

The six-furlong race was restricted to 3-year-olds and up bred in Oklahoma.

Welder ($2.20) first won the TRAO Classic Sprint in 2016 at the age of 3. The 6-year-old broke well Tuesday and from his outside post tracked Serengeti through an opening quarter in 22.09 seconds. Welder joined the leader soon afterwards and the pair hit the half-mile mark in 44.94 seconds. In the stretch, Welder gradually separated himself from his rivals, going on to a 7 1/4-length win over Timely Reply. It was another neck back to Serengeti in third.

Welder covered six furlongs on a sloppy, sealed track in 1:09.54.

David Cabrera was aboard for trainer Theresa Luneack.

Welder was winning the 11th stakes race of his career Tuesday, and his 17th race overall from 26 career starts. He now has earnings of $716,151.

Welder also is now 9 for 10 at Will Rogers. He’s won six stakes in his last seven starts dating back to September, with those wins coming between Will Rogers and Remington Park.

Welder is a son of The Visualiser who races for Ra-Max Farms.