Win machine Welder becomes racing's newest millionaire

Oklahoma-bred Welder, who entered Tuesday with a 9-for-10 record at Will Rogers Downs, improved on that mark by winning a milestone edition of the TRAO Classic Sprint Stakes.

His fifth straight victory in the event also pushed the 7-year-old gelding past $1 million in career earnings.

Trained by Theresa Sue Luneack for Ra-Max Farms, Welder was away at 1-5 but ran like all of 1-9, completing six furlongs going away in 1:09.03.

As rival Shannon C set out for the opening quarter mile in 22.10 seconds, Welder, under jockey David Cabrera, sat patiently. He strolled up outside the pace setter through the far turn and went right on by as Shannon C floated out a bit, trying to make the favorite’s task a bit tougher.

A win machine who has made all 33 of his starts at Will Rogers, Remington Park or Prairie Meadows, Welder improved to 22-4-4.

A $2.40 winner, Welder hit the wire ahead of Shannon C with Eurowest third in a field of eight older state-breds.