Welder Chalks Up Another Win, Equals Remington Park’s All-Time Record Of 15

Oklahoma's millionaire hero of a horse, Welder, tied the all-time mark for most wins at Remington Park in Oklahoma City, Okla., on Saturday night, winning for the 15th time in his career here.

Welder equaled the all-time mark in winning the $38,675 open-company allowance feature, titled the Guthrie Sprint. The race came up strong for open stakes-caliber horses as the 7-year-old gelding tied Highland Ice and Elegant Exxactsy for the most Remington Park wins in history. He gained a little revenge in the historic victory, beating Share the Upside in the process.

Trained by Steve Asmussen, Share the Upside had beaten this year's Breeders' Cup Sprint winner Whitmore in the $125,000 King Cotton Stakes at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Ark., on Feb. 8. The previous year, Share the Upside had finished a half-length ahead of Welder in the Hot Springs Stakes at Oaklawn when Whitmore won that race by two lengths. Share the Upside was second and Welder third.

Welder's trainer, Teri Luneack, jockey David Cabrera and owner Ra-Max Farms (Clayton Rash of Claremore, Okla.) were excited and looking forward to facing Share the Upside again.

“We really thought we had to redeem ourselves,” Luneack said. “We knew we could beat that horse. Welder got caught down on the inside against him at Oaklawn and didn't run his race.”

They say revenge is sweetest served cold and the temperatures were in the mid-30s when Welder and Share the Upside broke from the gate, going six furlongs. They were heads apart for the first half mile as it turned into the match-race most expected. It was only at the top of the stretch when Welder pushed his head in front and started to edge ahead of his rival. At the wire, the two-time Oklahoma Horse of the Year, had gained his vengeance, winning by three-quarters of a length.

“This horse,” said Cabrera of Welder, “you have to let him do what he wants to do. If you try to do something different, he doesn't like it. We knew that other horse was going to go and Welder wanted to go, so we went. I felt Welder was running comfortably. The only worry I had was the saddle didn't feel right before we went into the gate. So we were trying to fix it because he doesn't like the gate anyway. Thank goodness we got it fixed and it felt great during the race.”

Luneack was on pins and needles watching the race. When did she feel comfortable?

Welder holds off Share the Upside by three-quarters of a length under David Cabrera

“When he crossed the finish line,” she said with a sigh. “What an amazing horse.”

Welder, a gelded son of The Visualiser, out of the Tiznow mare Dance Softly, set fractions of :22.35 for the first quarter-mile, :45.01 for the half-mile and :56.97 for five furlongs. He stopped the timer in 1:09.79 seconds over the fast track, well off his own track record of 1:08.13 he set in the David Vance Stakes on Sept. 29, 2019.

Welder was sent off as the 3-5 wagering favorite and Share the Upside took his share of the money at 5-2 odds. Welder paid $3.40 to win, $2.20 to place and $2.10 to show. Share the Upside was another 3-3/4 lengths ahead of third-place finisher Direct Dial (4-1), who had a three-race win streak ended, that included a pair of stakes wins this summer at Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie, Texas. D' Rapper, who has beaten Welder multiple times in stakes races at Prairie Meadows in Iowa, came up fourth, three-quarters of a length behind Direct Dial. Tiz Alluptome Now, second to Welder in the 2019 Vance Stakes, was fifth, while American Dubai finished last.

Luneack said she is honored to train Welder and is so humbled by being tied with Highland Ice and Elegant Exxactsy. “That's crazy to have won 15 here,” Luneack said. “And to win 26 races in a lifetime; how many horses do you think have ever done that? This is a great way to end the meet, a great way to end the year and a greatest Christmas present ever.”

Highland Ice's record at Remington Park was 24 starts, 15 wins, five seconds and two thirds for $390,810 at this track. Elegant Exxactsy's record at Remington Park was 59 starts, 15 wins and earned $95,809.

Welder earned $25,024 in winning Saturday night and now has a record at Remington Park of 20 starts, 15 wins, three seconds and one third for $844,883 in Oklahoma City.

Bred in Oklahoma at Center Hills Farm, Welder has now won 26 of 38 career starts with five seconds and four third, for total earnings of $1,204,042.

According to Equibase statistics, Welder would need seven more wins to move into the top 100 all-time North American winners.

Welder now gets a bit of a respite at his home stall in Claremore before Luneack maps out a possible rematch with Whitmore at Oaklawn.

“We would really like to take him there again,” she said. “Our problem is there is no place in Oklahoma to train him that's open in the down-time where we don't have to van him. If the weather gets bad, it's a tough haul to Oaklawn. We took him over the day of the race in 2019, but you can't do that anymore. With the COVID rules, you have to be there three days in advance. We'll just have to see.”

For now, she said Team Welder can bask in his latest glory. They will just have to hope that four wins again at Remington Park in one meet, three stakes victories and an allowance race that was his toughest spot of the year, will be enough for him to win an unprecedented third Horse of the Meeting honor.

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Welder Attempts To Tie All-Time Win Record At Remington Park

Two-time Oklahoma Horse of the Year Welder is costing Remington Park a lot of money in ink. Virtually every time he steps on the track here, Remington has to re-write its history book.

Such is the case on Saturday, Dec. 19, when this 7-year-old Oklahoma-bred millionaire gelding will be trying to tie the track record for most career wins at Remington Park – 15. If he wins the $34,000 Guthrie Sprint allowance race on the next-to-last night of racing this meet, he would move into a three-way tie with Highland Ice and Elegant Exxactsy. Each of those horses won 15 times at Remington Park. The Guthrie goes as the eighth race and is scheduled to go to post at 10:23pm-Central.

“It would be exciting to tie the win record but I am so happy with everything he has done so far in his career that I'm just pleased he is still running and winning,” Luneack said. “Welder is training really well. It was a nice easy workout for him Thursday. He should be happy and ready.”

Welder worked five furlongs over a fast track at Remington Park on Dec. 10 with regular jockey David Cabrera aboard, going in 1:03.47, handily.

The last time Welder raced here, he won the $70,000 Silver Goblin Stakes on Nov. 13. He set a new record in that event, winning his 11th career stakes at Remington, breaking the tie he held with Okie Ride in that category. It was also the 11th stakes win in a row here for the gelded son of The Visualiser, out of the Tiznow mare Dance Softly. That was a record he already owned and was extending.

Here is a quick look at the other records this greased-streak of gray lightning has set along the way under the tutelage of trainer Teri Luneack for owner Ra-Max Farms (Clayton Rash), both of Claremore, Okla.

  • Two-time Oklahoma Horse of the Year (2018 & 2019).
  • Only horse in Remington Park history (since 1988) that has won back-to-back Horse of the Meet trophies (2018 & 2019).
  • Only horse in Remington Park history to win four stakes races in one season (2018).
  • Set track record for six furlongs of 1:08.13 in winning the David M. Vance Stakes on Sept. 29, 2019.
  • Eleven consecutive stakes wins in a row at Remington Park – two Remington Park Turf Sprints (one was taken off the turf and moved to a sloppy main track), four wins in the Silver Goblin Stakes, three wins in the Oklahoma Classics Sprint, and two David M. Vance Stakes.

An indication of just how well Luneack has prepped this big-hearted Okie-bred the past couple of years could be seen as far back as the $150,000 Hot Springs Stakes on March 9, 2019 at Oaklawn Park when he ran two lengths behind Whitmore. All Whitmore did was come back and win the 2020 Breeders' Cup Sprint by 3-1/4 lengths. Those two could meet again during the 2021 Oaklawn season next spring.

Welder was made the 6-5 morning line favorite for the Guthrie allowance by Remington Park odds-maker Jerry Shottenkirk. The seven-horse field includes two horses that have actually finished ahead of Welder in the past. That pair – Share the Upside (5-1) and D' Rapper (6-1) – have not, however, beaten Welder on the track he loves the most, Remington Park.

Share the Upside, from Remington Park all-time leading trainer (by wins) Steve Asmussen's barn, also ran in the 2019 Hot Springs Stakes and finished a half-length ahead of Welder for second in that race. D' Rapper last beat Welder this summer by 1-1/4 lengths in the Iowa Sprint Stakes at Prairie Meadows on July 5. Welder beat D' Rapper in the $150,000 David Vance Stakes by 7-3/4 lengths, the last time they went head-to-head at Remington Park, in September 2019.

Welder has started 19 times in Oklahoma City and won 14 of those for $819,859 here. Overall, Welder has won 25 of 37 starts, run second five times and third four times for lifetime earnings of $1,179,018. Luneack found him as a yearling at Center Hills Farms' division in Pryor, Okla., at Mighty Acres and Rash purchased him for $6,400.

If Welder can extend his win records and keep accumulating records, he could be well on his way to his third Oklahoma Horse of the Year and unprecedented third Remington Park Horse of the Meet.

“The prospect of having a third year Horse of the Meet is unimaginable,” said Luneack.

Here's a look at the field in the Guthrie allowance, race eight on Dec. 19, from rail to the outside with horse, trainer, jockey and morning-line odds:

1) Gordy Florida: Kenny Smith, Richard Eramia, 12-1

2) Direct Dial: Danny Pish, Lane Luzzi, 9-2

3) Welder: Teri Luneack, David Cabrera, 6-5 (morning-line favorite)

4) American Dubai: Clinton Stuart, Ken Tohill, 10-1

5) Tiz Alluptome Now: Steve Asmussen, Kevin Roman, 8-1

6) D' Rapper: Oscar Flores, (no rider named), 6-1

7) Share the Upside: Steve Asmussen, Stewart Elliott, 5-1

Remington Park live racing continues with five more race dates left in this 2020 season. Action resumes Monday and Tuesday, Dec. 14 & 15 with the first race at Noon. The final weekend is Friday through Sunday, Dec. 18-20. The first race on Friday night is at 5pm, featuring the $200,000 Springboard Mile. The Saturday and Sunday programs each begin at 7:07pm. All times are Central.

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Welder Gets Chance To Break More Remington Park Records Dec. 19

Two-time Oklahoma Horse of the Year Welder is costing Remington Park a lot of money in ink. Virtually every time he steps on the track at the Oklahoma City, Okla., racetrack, Remington has to re-write its history book.

Such may be the case on Saturday, Dec. 19, when the 7-year-old Oklahoma-bred millionaire gelding will be trying to tie the track record for most career wins at Remington Park – 15. If he wins the $34,000 Guthrie Sprint allowance race on the next-to-last night of racing this meet, he would move into a three-way tie with Highland Ice and Elegant Exxactsy. Each of those horses won 15 times at Remington Park. The Guthrie goes as the eighth race and is scheduled to go to post at 10:23 p.m. Central.

“It would be exciting to tie the win record but I am so happy with everything he has done so far in his career that I'm just pleased he is still running and winning,” said trainer Theresa Sue Luneack said. “Welder is training really well. It was a nice easy workout for him Thursday. He should be happy and ready.”

Welder worked five furlongs over a fast track at Remington Park on Dec. 10 with regular jockey David Cabrera aboard, going in 1:03.47, handily.

The last time Welder raced here, he won the $70,000 Silver Goblin Stakes on Nov. 13. He set a new record in that event, winning his 11th career stakes at Remington, breaking the tie he held with Okie Ride in that category. It was also the 11th stakes win in a row here for the gelded son of The Visualiser, out of the Tiznow mare Dance Softly. That was a record he already owned and was extending.

Here is a quick look at the other records this greased-streak of gray lightning has set along the way under the tutelage of trainer Teri Luneack for owner Ra-Max Farms (Clayton Rash), both of Claremore, Okla.

· Two-time Oklahoma Horse of the Year (2018 & 2019).

· Only horse in Remington Park history (since 1988) that has won back-to-back Horse of the Meet trophies (2018 & 2019).

· Only horse in Remington Park history to win four stakes races in one season (2018).

· Set track record for six furlongs of 1:08.13 in winning the David M. Vance Stakes on Sept. 29, 2019.

· Eleven consecutive stakes wins in a row at Remington Park – two Remington Park Turf Sprints (one was taken off the turf and moved to a sloppy main track), four wins in the Silver Goblin Stakes, three wins in the Oklahoma Classics Sprint, and two David M. Vance Stakes.

An indication of just how well Luneack has prepared this big-hearted Okie-bred the past couple of years could be seen as far back as the $150,000 Hot Springs Stakes on March 9, 2019, at Oaklawn Park when he ran two lengths behind Whitmore. All Whitmore did was come back and win the 2020 Breeders' Cup Sprint by 3-1/4 lengths. Those two could meet again during the 2021 Oaklawn season next spring.

Welder was made the 6-5 morning line favorite for the Guthrie allowance by Remington Park odds-maker Jerry Shottenkirk. The seven-horse field includes two horses that have actually finished ahead of Welder in the past. That pair – Share the Upside (5-1) and D' Rapper (6-1) – have not, however, beaten Welder on the track he loves the most, Remington Park.

Share the Upside, from Remington Park all-time leading trainer (by wins) Steve Asmussen's barn, also ran in the 2019 Hot Springs Stakes and finished a half-length ahead of Welder for second in that race. D' Rapper last beat Welder this summer by 1 1/4 lengths in the Iowa Sprint Stakes at Prairie Meadows on July 5. Welder beat D' Rapper in the $150,000 David Vance Stakes by 7 3/4 lengths, the last time they went head-to-head at Remington Park, in September 2019.

Welder has started 19 times in Oklahoma City and won 14 of those for $819,859 here. Overall, Welder has won 25 of 37 starts, run second five times and third four times for lifetime earnings of $1,179,018. Luneack found him as a yearling at Center Hills Farms' division in Pryor, Okla., at Mighty Acres and Rash purchased him for $6,400.

If Welder can extend his win records and keep accumulating records, he could be well on his way to his third Oklahoma Horse of the Year and unprecedented third Remington Park Horse of the Meet.

“The prospect of having a third year Horse of the Meet is unimaginable,” said Luneack.

Here's a look at the field in the Guthrie allowance, race eight on Dec. 19, from rail to the outside with horse, trainer, jockey and morning-line odds:

1)    Gordy Florida: Kenny Smith, Richard Eramia, 12-1
2)    Direct Dial: Danny Pish, Lane Luzzi, 9-2
3)    Welder: Teri Luneack, David Cabrera, 6-5 (morning-line favorite)
4)    American Dubai: Clinton Stuart, Ken Tohill, 10-1
5)    Tiz Alluptome Now: Steve Asmussen, Kevin Roman, 8-1
6)    D' Rapper: Oscar Flores, (no rider named), 6-1
7)    Share the Upside: Steve Asmussen, Stewart Elliott, 5-1

Remington Park live racing continues with five more race dates left in this 2020 season. Action resumes Monday and Tuesday, Dec. 14 and 15 with the first race at noon. The final weekend is Friday through Sunday, Dec. 18-20. The first race on Friday night is at 5 p.m., featuring the $200,000 Springboard Mile. The Saturday and Sunday programs each begin at 7:07 p.m. All times are Central.

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‘Such A Blessing’: Welder Now All-Time Leading Stakes Winner At Remington Park

The Remington Park history book was rewritten Friday night as Welder moved into the number one spot all-time in stakes wins here with 11.

He was in a tie for first with Oklahoma Horse Racing Hall of Famer Okie Ride going into the $70,000 Silver Goblin Stakes at Remington Park on Friday. He also set a record for winning four Silver Goblin Stakes, one more than Okie Ride. Welder also extended his record of most Remington Park stakes wins in a row to 11.

Trainer Teri Luneack put all the records broken and Welder's name being etched in stone in the Oklahoma racing history book in perspective.

“I'm obviously never going to see another horse in my lifetime like this,” Luneack said. “In fact we probably won't see another horse at Remington Park like this in our lifetimes. I mean what horse goes out in 44 (seconds) and change for the half-mile and just drives away without David (Cabrera) ever having to cock the stick? It's craziness.”

Welder, owned by Ra-Max Farms (Clayton Rash) of Claremore, Okla., finished the 6-1/2 furlongs in 1:15.49 seconds over a muddy track and wasn't even breathing hard, returning to the winner's circle. Jockey David Cabrera never asked him to run.

Early on, Welder and Fly to the Bank looked each other in the eye with that lightning fast :44.55 seconds half-mile and the winner was gone by the time he hit three-quarters of a mile in 1:09.04. The 7-year-old gelded son of The Visualiser, out of the Tiznow mare Dance Softly, just turned on the gas from there to win by 5-1/2 lengths over Fly to the Bank. In fact, Welder, who may be the calmest horse ever to be saddled in a paddock, always seems far less worried than his jockey and trainer.

“I'm always so nervous,” said Luneack. “I'm standing over there watching and saying, 'Oh gosh! Oh gosh! Oh gosh!' He's going 44 and just keeps going. I mean, who does that?”

Cabrera reiterated the concern.

“Sometimes I think he goes out there faster than he should but I just let him do what he wants to do, and then he just does it all on his own,” Cabrera said.

Welder, a two-time Oklahoma Horse of the Year and the only horse in Remington Park History to be voted two-time Horse of the Meeting, also won for the 14th time at the Oklahoma City track. That puts him one win behind Highland Ice and Elegant Exxactsy, who had 15 apiece. Luneack said Welder would be back to race at 8 years old in 2021 as long as he stays sound. It's possible he could face the Breeders' Cup Sprint winner Whitmore at Oaklawn in Hot Springs, Ark., in the spring. Whitmore beat Welder by two lengths in the 2018 Hot Springs Stakes.

“It's such a blessing to have this horse,” Luneack said as she held her brand new grandbaby girl Ava in the winner's circle. Then nodding to Ava, she said, “She's perfect,” like the legendary Oklahoma-bred sprinter she trains. He was bred by Center Hills Farm's division of Mighty Acres Ranch in Pryor, Okla.

Welder, the last Oklahoma-bred to hit the $1 million mark in earnings, added to that bankroll Friday with $42,000 of the purse pocketed. His race record improved to 37 starts, 25 wins, five seconds and four fourths for $1,179,018. He was purchased as a yearling for $6,400 by Rash.

Welder was sent off at 1-10 odds by the betting public and paid $2.20 to win, $2.10 to place and $2.10 to show. It was the 13th race in a row he has gone off as the odds-on favorite. The last time he was higher than even money was when he went off 9-1 when facing Whitmore in 2018. Fly to the Bank returned $5.80 to place and $2.10 to show. Quality Rocket, one length back of the runner-up in third, also paid $2.10 to show.

Welder's record stakes wins in Remington Park history have been four Silver Goblins, three Oklahoma Classics Sprints, two David M. Vance Stakes and two Remington Park Turf Sprints, one of those being taken off the grass and moved to a sloppy track.

The Silver Goblin Stakes is named after the gray Oklahoma-bred millionaire who won multiple stakes races at Remington Park and numerous graded stakes events around the nation, in a career spanning 1993-1999.

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