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Will Rogers Downs in Claremore, Oklahoma presents a nine-race all-dirt card on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, beginning at 1:15 PM CST. The program is dominated by Oklahoma-bred conditions, with three Maiden Special Weight races (Races 1, 4, and 6), three Allowance events (Races 3, 5, and 8), and three claiming races (Races 2, 7, and 9). Distances are primarily sprints at 5 1/2 and 6 furlongs, with two one-mile routes for fillies and mares and state-bred claimers.
Purses range from 12,000 dollars in the claiming events up to 28,000 dollars in the Oklahoma-bred Allowance races, providing meaningful spots for developing and mid-level local stock. Several notable horses appear on scratch watch: Grace the Kingdom (Race 5, PP4, veterinarian), Myrna (Race 6, PP6, stewards), Cajun Stoops (Race 8, PP8, trainer), and in Race 9, Mega Shack (PP6, veterinarian) and Stomping Hotrod (PP1, trainer). Any confirmed scratches among these will materially affect pace scenarios and depth in their respective races.
Weather and Track Conditions
Early morning conditions in Claremore show temperatures in the upper 30s Fahrenheit under clear skies with south winds around 16 mph, gusting near 20 mph. The forecast for the afternoon race window calls for mostly sunny to partly cloudy skies, with high temperatures rising into the upper 60s to low 70s and strong south winds of 15 to 25 mph, gusting to about 35 mph. Rain is not expected, with effective 0 percent precipitation probability through the card.
The recent pattern has been dry with cool nights and mild days, so the main track is expected to play fast. As temperatures climb and winds increase, the surface should tighten up and stay quick, which typically enhances early speed. The strong southerly winds may introduce a mild headwind component on parts of the backstretch, potentially taking a small toll on frontrunners in longer sprints, but the overall profile still leans toward speed and tactical pace positioning.
Track Bias and Post Position Notes
Will Rogers Downs is generally regarded as a speed-favoring dirt surface, especially at the common sprint distances of 5 1/2 and 6 furlongs. Horses able to secure the lead or sit just off the pace typically hold a strong advantage, particularly when the rail is not visibly dull. Deep closers can win, but usually require a strong pace collapse or multi-horse duel up front.
In the two one-mile route races (Races 2 and 5), the configuration produces a short run to the first turn, placing a premium on inside posts and tactical speed. Posts 1 through 3 are historically favored at this distance, as outside runners often must either use extra energy to cross over or accept a wide trip into the first turn. In big fields or evenly matched events, inside draws in these routes are a meaningful positive.
Overall, for this card, early and pressing types are preferred in sprints, while in the routes inside-drawn stalkers and pace-controlling types hold the edge if they can secure position without undue pressure.
Race-by-Race Summary of Key Horses
Race 1 – Maiden Special Weight, 5 1/2 Furlongs (OK-bred, 3yo and up)
This six-horse maiden features several experienced runners who have been consistently hitting the board.
Captain Flatter (Race 1, PP3) is a gelding with five starts and a perfect in-the-money record, including multiple seconds and thirds at this level, and is favored off a 1 to 1 morning line. He is a fast-closing type with top connections in jockey Floyd Wethey Jr. and trainer Scott E. Young.
Jamesons Chalk (Race 1, PP1) has seven starts with a solid record of minor awards and the highest career earnings in the field, and is listed at 3 to 1 on the morning line. He can sit just off the pace from the rail, an advantageous position on a speed-friendly surface.
El Protonico (Race 1, PP5) brings seven starts and a consistent show record, with a 4 to 1 morning line, and typically races as a forward stalking type. Five Wide (Race 1, PP6) is a first-time starter at 6 to 1 with a high-percentage rider, adding some intrigue in a field otherwise composed of known quantities.
Race 2 – Claiming, 1 Mile (OK-bred N2L, 7,500 dollar tag)
This eight-horse route pits inside-drawn Davidson trainees against a favored outside runner.
Brody’s Chrome (Race 2, PP7) is the 2 to 1 morning line favorite with David Cabrera aboard, bringing solid form but facing a potentially tricky outside post at this short-run mile.
Work Zone (Race 2, PP1) is 3 to 1 on the morning line and widely regarded as a key player, drawing the rail for trainer M. Brent Davidson with Alberto Pusac riding. The inside post should allow a ground-saving trip in a race where the first turn comes quickly.
Hillbilly Up (Race 2, PP6) at 7 to 2 has some tactical speed and is partnered with Leandro Goncalves and trainer Francisco Bravo. Keep Up the Pace (Race 2, PP2) at 5 to 1 gives Davidson a second inside-drawn runner and could factor if he can secure a stalking trip behind the early leaders.
Race 3 – Allowance, 5 1/2 Furlongs (OK-bred F&M N1X/N3L)
A compact field of five fillies and mares provides a relatively classy sprint.
Dontcallitacomebak (Race 3, PP2) is the 7 to 5 morning line favorite with Wethey and Young, and is generally viewed as the standout on paper. She has shown allowance-level ability and fits the track’s preference for tactical speed.
Caleb’s Finest (Race 3, PP3) at 3 to 1 and Marquee Lady (Race 3, PP1) at 7 to 2 are the main alternatives, with Caleb’s Finest bringing a forward style and Marquee Lady looking for a rail trip in a short field. Samantha Code (Race 3, PP5), a lightly raced three-year-old at 4 to 1, gets a weight break that makes her a viable upset candidate in a small group.
Race 4 – Maiden Special Weight, 5 1/2 Furlongs (3yo)
Seven three-year-old maidens line up in a competitive sprint with no overwhelming favorite.
Uniter (Race 4, PP4) holds 5 to 2 morning line favoritism for Jerry Glen Stephens and Alberto Pusac, and projects as one of the main pace factors.
Flat Out Luck (Race 4, PP7), at 3 to 1, is from the high-percentage C. R. Trout barn and is a consensus top selection among handicappers. The outside draw in a sprint gives him options to either press or stalk the early pace.
Cool Okie (Race 4, PP6) at 7 to 2, trained by Scott E. Young and ridden by Wethey, forms another respected combination in this race. His Way (Race 4, PP1) at 4 to 1 brings the rail draw for the same barn as Uniter, providing a two-horse presence for Stephens to impact the pace scenario.
Race 5 – Allowance, 1 Mile (F&M N1X/N2L)
A six-horse filly and mare route where inside draws and conditioning are key. Grace the Kingdom (PP4) is on veterinarian scratch watch and may not participate.
Sabres (Race 5, PP6) is the 5 to 2 morning line favorite with Richard Eramia riding for Steve F. Williams, and is widely viewed as the most talented in the group, though she must overcome the outside post at the mile distance.
Sweet Aunt Rosie (Race 5, PP5) at 3 to 1 and Miskellieanne (Race 5, PP3) at 6 to 1 form a capable pair for trainer Kirk Ziadie, with both expected to be involved early or just off the pace.
Flat Out Fancy (Race 5, PP2) at 5 to 1 with David Cabrera for Jesse Oberlander draws well inside and could take advantage of any missteps by the outside favorites. Janes Girls (Race 5, PP1) at 6 to 1 provides M. Brent Davidson another inside-drawn runner in a route where early position and ground-saving trips are crucial.
Race 6 – Maiden Special Weight, 5 1/2 Furlongs (3yo fillies)
Seven maiden fillies contest this sprint, though Myrna (PP6) is under stewards’ scratch watch.
Classical Echo (Race 6, PP1) is the 2 to 1 morning line favorite for Tim Dixon with Curtis Kimes riding. From the rail, she is positioned to use speed or secure a pocket-trip depending on the break.
Freebie West (Race 6, PP2) at 3 to 1 from the Joe Offolter barn with Eramia aboard is a consensus leading contender, combining an inside draw with solid barn and rider stats.
Fast Lane Only (Race 6, PP4) at 7 to 2 represents the Wethey–Young combination, bringing likely early speed that is well suited to the course profile. Braxton’s Girl (Race 6, PP3) at 4 to 1 fits as another logical pace-adjacent player from the Oberlander barn. Pretty Irene (Race 6, PP5) and Irish Lass (Race 6, PP7) are longer-priced types but could pick up pieces if the better-backed fillies falter late.
Race 7 – Claiming, 6 Furlongs (F&M N2L, 7,500 dollar tag)
A nine-horse claiming sprint for fillies and mares, with several consistent types.
Woman’s Intuition (Race 7, PP2) is the 8 to 5 morning line favorite and owns a strong 71 percent in-the-money record despite only one win from 14 starts. She is a confirmed pace type and is extremely consistent at this level for Jody Pruitt and Floyd Wethey Jr.
Girls Knicks Now (Race 7, PP4) at 7 to 2 is a three-year-old filly with a recent win and runner-up effort at Will Rogers Downs, receiving a weight break and ridden by Belen Quinonez for Scott Young. She profiles as an ideal stalker behind the primary speed.
Belle Blaze (Race 7, PP9) at 4 to 1 has a strong show record and a stalking style that fits a potentially fast pace; she comes from the high-ITM Oscar Flores barn. Quart High (Race 7, PP7) at 6 to 1 and Railey Jean (Race 7, PP6) at 8 to 1 provide capable alternatives with live connections, especially if the favorite’s low win percentage resurfaces.
Race 8 – Allowance, 5 1/2 Furlongs (OK-bred N1X/N3L)
This is the deepest and most competitive event on the card, loaded with early speed. Cajun Stoops (PP8) is on trainer scratch watch.
Royalamerican (Race 8, PP5) is the 3 to 1 morning line favorite and a consensus key horse, with a 2-4-5 in five-start record that reflects both win ability and 100 percent in-the-money consistency. As a three-year-old carrying 118 pounds, he receives a significant weight break against older rivals and has a running style that sits off the speed before finishing strongly.
Waylon’s Guitar (Race 8, PP3) at 4 to 1 and Big Kitty (Race 8, PP1) at 5 to 1 are stablemates from the Tristan Ashford barn, both coming off back-to-back wins at Will Rogers Downs and both characterized as pure speed or pace-setting types. They are dangerous on the front end but dependent on how intense the early pace becomes.
Slades Tank (Race 8, PP4) at 5 to 1 has an exceptional 33 percent win and 89 percent in-the-money record and is another high-speed front-runner in a pace-heavy field.
Dancing Devil (Race 8, PP2) at 15 to 1 and Risky With Whiskey (Race 8, PP7) at 15 to 1 are late-running or stalking types whose styles match a potential pace meltdown, making them notable longshots in the day’s feature sprint.
Race 9 – Claiming, 5 1/2 Furlongs (4yo and up, 5,000 dollar tag)
The closing race is a 12-horse claiming sprint with multiple horses on scratch watch: Stomping Hotrod (PP1) and Mega Shack (PP6). It is a wide-open affair where pace and trip will be paramount.
Sharp Lorenzo (Race 9, PP7) is a 7 to 2 morning line contender with a mid-pack style and the services of David Cabrera, giving him a suitable running profile for a speed-heavy finale. His consistent finishing record and capable trainer Mark Buehrer make him a logical threat.
Favorite Outlaw (Race 9, PP5) at 6 to 1 is a noted key horse in handicapping circles, with only modest win figures but a very strong in-the-money percentage at this level. His steady form and reliable finishing position make him a frequent exacta and trifecta presence.
Da Chief (Race 9, PP12) at 6 to 1 brings a 24 percent win rate and forward speed from an outside draw, with Pusac riding for the live Guillermo Flores barn. Sidetown (Race 9, PP9) at 6 to 1 is a hard-knocking veteran with nine wins and a 46 percent in-the-money record, another likely pace factor or pace-adjacent runner.
Call of Honor (Race 9, PP3) at 20 to 1 and Vicente’s Shadow (Race 9, PP11) at 15 to 1 represent deeper longshots whose closing styles could benefit from a highly contested early speed scenario, particularly given trainer Juan Padilla’s strong win and in-the-money percentages in this region.
