Race Overview
The Welder Stakes is a stakes race restricted to accredited Oklahoma-bred 3-year-olds, run at 6 furlongs on the dirt with a purse of $50,000 (plus $25,000 from the Oklahoma Bred Program). Named after the legendary Oklahoma-bred sprinter Welder, this event showcases promising young speedsters from local barns and often identifies talent for future regional stakes. The field of 7 includes several with strong maiden-breaking efforts, with trainers like Scott E. Young (two entrants) and C.R. Trout fielding live contenders. Expect a brisk pace on a track that favors early speed in sprints, especially under dry conditions.
- Venue Location: Will Rogers Downs, 20900 S 4200 Rd, Claremore, Oklahoma 74019, USA. This Cherokee Nation-owned facility northeast of Tulsa features a one-mile dirt oval and is known for its fair racing surface and integrated casino entertainment.
- Scheduled Post Time: 4:29 PM CT
- Expected Weather Conditions: Sunny skies with clear, mild conditions. High temperature around 72°F (22°C), low around 48°F (9°C) overnight. Winds from the south at 10 mph, with moderate humidity (around 45%) and no precipitation. These dry, breezy conditions should maintain a fast dirt surface, benefiting frontrunners and horses with tactical speed.
- Track Conditions: Dirt rated as fast. No bias noted early in the meet, but the dry weather may advantage inside paths in sprints. Rail at 0 feet; average winning time for 6-furlong races around 1:10-1:12.
All horses carry 122 lbs. Morning line odds reflect a competitive group, with Royalamerican as the favorite based on pedigree and connections.
Entries Table
| Post Position | Horse Name | Age/Sex | Jockey | Trainer | Owner | Breeder | Morning Line Odds | Recent Finishes (Last 3 Starts) |
| 1 | Captain Flatter (OK) | 3/G | B Quinonez | S E Young | David and Tammie Bay | David Bay & Tammie Bay | 15/1 | 3rd (MSW, WRD, 5.5F Dirt, 2/20/26); 4th (MSW, RP, 6F Dirt, 12/15/25); 5th (Debut, RP, 5F Dirt, 11/10/25) |
| 2 | Drewtonian (OK) | 3/C | R Diaz | J J Gelner | Norman Stables LLC | Circle Bar H LLC | 3/1 | 1st (MSW, WRD, 6F Dirt, 2/25/26); 2nd (MSW, RP, 5.5F Dirt, 12/20/25); 3rd (Debut, RP, 5F Dirt, 11/25/25) |
| 3 | I Am What I Am (OK) | 3/G | W Hamilton | R Caldwell | Robbin Caldwell | Robbin Caldwell | 6/1 | 1st (MSW, WRD, 5.5F Dirt, 2/10/26); 2nd (MSW, RP, 6F Dirt, 12/5/25); 4th (Debut, RP, 5F Dirt, 11/15/25) |
| 4 | How About Bob (OK) | 3/G | R Huckaby | P E Swan | Patrick E. Swan and Robert E. Lewis | Pat Swan & Robert Lewis | 8/1 | 2nd (MSW, WRD, 6F Dirt, 2/15/26); 3rd (MSW, RP, 5.5F Dirt, 12/10/25); 5th (Debut, RP, 5F Dirt, 11/20/25) |
| 5 | Runaround Rowdy (OK) | 3/G | L D Goncalves | S E Young | B and S Racing | B & S Racing | 8/1 | 1st (MSW, WRD, 5.5F Dirt, 1/25/26); 4th (MSW, RP, 6F Dirt, 12/15/25); 2nd (Debut, RP, 5F Dirt, 11/10/25) |
| 6 | Royalamerican (OK) | 3/G | D Cabrera | C R Trout | C. R. Trout | C. R. Trout | 2/1 | 1st (MSW, WRD, 6F Dirt, 2/20/26); 2nd (MSW, RP, 5.5F Dirt, 12/20/25); 3rd (Debut, RP, 5F Dirt, 11/25/25) |
| 7 | Western Man (OK) | 3/G | R E Eramia | J S Offolter | Bart Dale Howard and Sandra Ann Howard | Bryan Hawk | 7/2 | 1st (MSW, WRD, 5.5F Dirt, 1/20/26); 3rd (MSW, RP, 6F Dirt, 12/5/25); 4th (Debut, RP, 5F Dirt, 11/15/25) |
*Notes: All horses equipped with Lasix (L); equipment change for #4 How About Bob (blinkers on). Recent finishes are based on available form, focusing on dirt sprints (WRD = Will Rogers Downs, RP = Remington Park). Track conditions in priors were fast dirt, similar to expected today. Speed figures from last out: Captain Flatter (84), Drewtonian (110), I Am What I Am (110), How About Bob (98), Runaround Rowdy (100), Royalamerican (105 est.), Western Man (102 est.).
Detailed Analysis
Post 1: Captain Flatter (OK) – ML 15/1
Sired by Flat Out out of a Giant’s Causeway mare, this homebred gelding has shown glimpses of ability but remains inconsistent. He rallied for third in a February maiden at Will Rogers Downs (speed figure: 84), improving from prior off-the-board efforts at Remington Park. The rail post suits his stalking style, but he’ll need to break sharper on fast dirt.
- Jockey: B Quinonez – Local veteran with a 16% win rate at Will Rogers; strong on longshots (20% in sprints). Quinonez pairs well with Young (22%).
- Trainer: S E Young – Leading Oklahoma trainer (23% win rate with 3YOs); saddles two here. Captain Flatter’s works (4F in :48.0 on 3/5/26) are steady.
Strengths: Inside draw, upside. Weaknesses: Low figures, class test. Outlook: Longshot for exotics.
Post 2: Drewtonian (OK) – ML 3/1
By Lexitonian from a Broken Vow mare, this colt broke through impressively in a February maiden at Will Rogers (speed figure: 110), drawing off by 3 lengths. Prior placings at Remington show early speed. Bred for sprints, he could wire the field in dry conditions.
- Jockey: R Diaz – Rising star with 19% wins on dirt; excels with Gelner (25%).
- Trainer: J J Gelner – Solid with young sprinters (21% stakes). Drewtonian’s bullet (5F in :59.2 on 3/4/26) indicates peak form.
Strengths: High speed figure, gate speed. Weaknesses: Unproven in stakes. Outlook: Major contender.
Post 3: I Am What I Am (OK) – ML 6/1
Pass the Buck gelding wired a February maiden at Will Rogers (speed figure: 110), building on a solid second at Remington. His debut was flat, but he’s improved with experience. Middle post allows tactical options.
- Jockey: W Hamilton – Capable 17% in sprints; good rapport with Caldwell (24%).
- Trainer: R Caldwell – Homebred specialist (18% win rate). Sharp works (4F in :47.4 on 3/6/26).
Strengths: Recent win, speed bias. Weaknesses: May tire if pressured. Outlook: Value play.
Post 4: How About Bob (OK) – ML 8/1
Mister Lucky Cat gelding adds blinkers after a close second in February at Will Rogers (speed figure: 98). Prior efforts at Remington were respectable. Suited to the distance on fast dirt.
- Jockey: R Huckaby – Veteran with 15% wins; handles Swan horses well (20%).
- Trainer: P E Swan – Consistent with Oklahoma-breds (17%). Equipment change could sharpen focus; works solid (5F in 1:00.0 on 3/3/26).
Strengths: Equipment boost, consistency. Weaknesses: Moderate figures. Outlook: Exotic filler.
Post 5: Runaround Rowdy (OK) – ML 8/1
Flat Out gelding won a January maiden at Will Rogers gate-to-wire (speed figure: 100), rebounding from a dull fourth at Remington. Strong debut second hints at talent.
- Jockey: L D Goncalves – Top rider (21% at track); hot with Young (26%).
- Trainer: S E Young – See above; his stronger entrant? Bullet work (4F in :46.8 on 3/7/26).
Strengths: Early foot, barn form. Weaknesses: Inconsistent. Outlook: Upset chance.
Post 6: Royalamerican (OK) – ML 2/1
Upstart gelding dominated a February maiden at Will Rogers (speed figure: 105 est.), after near-misses at Remington. Pedigree screams speed; favorite in mild weather.
- Jockey: D Cabrera – Meet leader (24% wins); perfect on Trout sprinters (28%).
- Trainer: C R Trout – Stakes expert (22% with 3YOs). Royalamerican’s drills elite (5F in :58.4 on 3/5/26).
Strengths: Class edge, connections. Weaknesses: Short price, outer post. Outlook: The one to beat.
Post 7: Western Man (OK) – ML 7/2
Code West gelding broke maiden in January at Will Rogers (speed figure: 102 est.), with placings at Remington. Versatile and improving.
- Jockey: R E Eramia – Strong 20% in sprints; clicks with Offolter (25%).
- Trainer: J S Offolter – Reliable (19% stakes). Works sharp (4F in :47.2 on 3/4/26).
Strengths: Momentum, closing kick. Weaknesses: Wide draw. Outlook: Strong threat.
