Pick Pony Mini Tip Sheet for Will Rogers Downs – Racing News and Analysis for March 28, 2026


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Will Rogers Downs offers an eight race Saturday card built around two Oklahoma bred stakes, the Miranda Diane Stakes for fillies and mares in race 4 and the TRAO Classic Sprint Stakes in race 7, with supporting claiming and maiden races at one mile and in sprint distances on dirt. The undercard features several non winners of two lifetime claiming routes at 1 mile and a maiden special weight route in race 3, creating multiple pace and class dynamics across the day. Morning line indications from foreign books suggest a few short priced favorites in the lower level claimers, but no overwhelming standouts in the stakes, which should help horizontal exotic value.

Recent meet notes indicate that Will Rogers Downs has been playing fairly honest overall, with a mild preference toward forwardly placed runners in dirt routes and an inside to middle post tilt in sprints, but without an extreme bias that forces one dimensional handicapping. The stakes races in particular tend to draw class tested Oklahoma breds who are familiar with the surface, so trip and tactical speed often decide outcomes more than raw talent gaps.

Weather and Track Conditions

Forecast data for Claremore, Oklahoma around March 28 indicates typical late March conditions with afternoon highs in the upper 60s to upper 70s Fahrenheit and lows in the mid to upper 40s, with only light precipitation expected and generally dry conditions. Historical and climatological records for this date suggest that the most likely scenario is a fast main track with firm footing and no moisture induced bias, assuming no localized showers develop near post time. National level forecasts for the area around this time frame point toward partly sunny to mostly clear skies with moderate winds, which tends to keep the surface consistent throughout the card rather than favoring early or late races.

Given that Will Rogers Downs' dirt has shown some sensitivity to moisture in prior meets, a dry, warm afternoon should reduce the risk of a rail slop or deep outside lane forming and instead yield a relatively uniform surface from inside to outside. Handicappers can therefore handicap more on intrinsic pace and class rather than trying to chase short lived weather driven track bias today.

Track Bias and Post Position Bias

Data driven analyses of Will Rogers Downs indicate that on dirt sprints, inside to middle posts have historically performed slightly better than far outside stalls, though the difference is modest and does not create an automatic toss of outside runners with legitimate speed. In dirt routes at one mile, ground saving trips from inside and mid gates can be beneficial, particularly for horses that are capable of securing position by the first turn, while deep closers from wide posts need more racing luck to circle the field.

Pace style bias at this track leans toward horses who can be on or near the lead in both sprints and routes, with a measurable but not overwhelming edge to early or pace pressing types over deep closers. When the surface is fast and dry, front runners who secure the rail or just off the rail can be especially dangerous, though honest early fractions can still allow mid pack stalkers to grind into contention. Overall, today's likely fast track and neutral weather point toward a slightly speed favoring, inside to middle post friendly profile rather than any extreme bias.

Race 1 – Claiming 1 Mile – 1:15 PM

Sand Creek (1), Gospel Native (2), Good Product (3), Madethedean'slist (4), and Dawn Strategy (5) complete a compact five horse field.

Pace: Sand Creek (1) projects as the likely pace presser or controlling speed from the rail. Dawn Strategy (5) has enough early foot to attend the pace from the outside, and Good Product (3) can sit just behind the top pair in a stalking role. With only five horses, a moderate to honest pace is expected.

Key Contenders: Sand Creek (1) is a strong win candidate as a probable odds on favorite based on recent local form against similar non winners of two company at this trip. Good Product (3) profiles as the main alternative with a stalk and pounce running style.

Secondary Choices: Gospel Native (2) has some back form and can improve second off short rest. Madethedean'slist (4) is the oldest in the field and fits as a grinder. Dawn Strategy (5) has enough speed to be part of the early mix but is more suspect at this distance.

Longshots: With only five starters, there are no true longshots, but relative value may lie in taking a modest stand against the heavy chalk.

Race 2 – Claiming 5.5 Furlongs – 1:45 PM

Shelley's Money (1), Aspirational (2), Love Me A Sunset (3), Gypsy Rose (4), Fella's Sister (5), and Miz Rithym (6) line up in a six horse sprint.

Pace: At 5 1/2 furlongs, pace is critical. Shelley's Money (1) from the rail has the option to send and protect position, while Miz Rithym (6) from the outside and Fella's Sister (5) can apply outside pressure. Love Me A Sunset (3) and Aspirational (2) are more stalk and pounce types. A hot to honest pace is likely.

Key Contenders: Love Me A Sunset (3) looks like a key contender based on her age, overall sprint profile, and likely off the pace trip that fits a pace pressured race. Shelley's Money (1) remains dangerous as a rail speed mare.

Secondary Choices: Aspirational (2) is a logical secondary win player with enough tactical speed to sit close then finish. Fella's Sister (5) can press and finish on occasion. Miz Rithym (6) from the outside post may have to use extra energy early.

Longshots: Gypsy Rose (4) looks more like an underneath type, pace dependent and needing the leaders to collapse.

Race 3 – Maiden Special Weight 1 Mile – 2:15 PM

Brunch Spot (1), Downtown Motown (2), Passed Promise (3), Uniter (4), Tall Cotton (5), and Titanium Man (6) comprise this six horse maiden route.

Pace: Brunch Spot (1), a three year old filly with a weight break, may be asked to use her inside draw to secure a prominent spot. Downtown Motown (2) and Passed Promise (3) appear capable of sitting close. Titanium Man (6) with equipment could be sent aggressively from the outside, potentially sharpening fractions.

Key Contenders: Tall Cotton (5) stands out on paper as a four year old gelding with physical maturity and likely prior route experience. Titanium Man (6) also deserves key contender status as another mature four year old with several races under his belt.

Secondary Choices: Passed Promise (3) as a three year old gelding is a candidate to take a step forward with added distance. Downtown Motown (2) is an older gelding grinder type. Uniter (4) is a possibly lightly raced three year old still improving.

Longshots: Brunch Spot (1) has the toughest task overcoming younger age and physical disadvantage against older males, but the weight break and inside position offer compensating factors. Downtown Motown (2) may be a higher price and could surprise.

Race 4 – Miranda Diane Stakes 6 Furlongs – 2:47 PM

Dontcallitacomebak (1), Nice Neighbor (2), Angel Kiss (3), Letta's Legacy (4), and Janes Girls (5) make up a compact but high quality stakes field.

Pace: Dontcallitacomebak (1) is likely to show good early foot from the rail. Angel Kiss (3) and Janes Girls (5) both have profiles of mares who can be prominent early or pressing. Letta's Legacy (4) has enough tactical speed to sit just behind. Nice Neighbor (2) figures as more of a mid pack or late runner. Strong early fractions are likely.

Key Contenders: Letta's Legacy (4) stands out as a key contender, dropping from a higher allowance or optional claiming company at Oaklawn. Dontcallitacomebak (1) is another top contender as a younger filly with upside who may improve with stakes experience.

Secondary Choices: Janes Girls (5) has shown quality in prior stakes and fits as a pace pressing mare. Angel Kiss (3) is an honest mare with tactical speed and prior stakes experience.

Longshots: Nice Neighbor (2) is more of a grinder who could pick up pieces in a pace meltdown scenario.

Race 5 – Claiming 1 Mile – 3:17 PM

Mo Town Gold (1), Riding Double (2), Copper Magician (3), Buck Pie (4), Stairstep Toheaven (5), Gonnabeagoodday (6), and Palace Rock (7) compete in this higher level non winners of two route.

Pace: Mo Town Gold (1) as a three year old gelding on the rail is a strong candidate to show early speed. Riding Double (2) and Copper Magician (3) have tactical speed and can sit close. Buck Pie (4) and Gonnabeagoodday (6) project as stalkers. Palace Rock (7) and Stairstep Toheaven (5) are more likely mid pack or late runners. An honest pace is likely.

Key Contenders: Mo Town Gold (1) has significant upside as a three year old stepping up into a 25,000 non winners of two spot. His inside post and likely forward trip play to the track's bias. Gonnabeagoodday (6) is another key contender as a mature four year old with established route form.

Secondary Choices: Riding Double (2) has credible form and should be right behind Mo Town Gold (1) early. Buck Pie (4) is a three year old gelding stepping up in class with potential. Palace Rock (7) and Stairstep Toheaven (5) can pick off tiring rivals late.

Longshots: Copper Magician (3), given his scratch history for veterinary reasons, is riskier but has speed and talent if fully sound.

Race 6 – Claiming 1 Mile – 3:47 PM

Butchy Boy (1), Town Hero (2), Reason To Believe (3), Papa Funny (4), Boca Guy (5), Franchuchie (6), Leviathan Axe (7), and Warhammer (8) comprise a full eight horse field.

Pace: Warhammer (8) has recent one mile form at Will Rogers Downs and can sit close to the early lead or make the running from outside. Butchy Boy (1) and Town Hero (2) show early speed tendencies from inner posts. Franchuchie (6) and Boca Guy (5) project as stalking types. With three to four potential early pace elements, this route could feature solid fractions.

Key Contenders: Warhammer (8) is a central win contender with repeated strong efforts at this track and distance, including a win and close placing. Franchuchie (6) shapes as a serious contender with consistent performances at this level. Town Hero (2) can either set or press the pace from inside.

Secondary Choices: Butchy Boy (1) from the rail must break sharply but can significantly outperform if he secures the lead or rail stalking trip. Boca Guy (5) brings experience and may enjoy stalking behind a contested pace. Leviathan Axe (7) is a wild card with raw ability.

Longshots: Reason To Believe (3) and Papa Funny (4) are plausible for lower exotics. Leviathan Axe (7) could spring an upset if his form cycle points toward a rebound.

Race 7 – TRAO Classic Sprint Stakes 6 Furlongs – 4:19 PM

C W Prize (1), Connors Outlaw (2), Tzedakah (3), Missin Hollywood (4), Mi Saturday (5), Send The Boss (6), and Salt Creek Kid (7) make up a seven horse field of proven and rising sprinters.

Pace: Missin Hollywood (4) and Mi Saturday (5) are both naturally fast geldings capable of vying for the early lead. Connors Outlaw (2) and Tzedakah (3) have enough tactical speed to sit right behind. C W Prize (1) from the rail can either send or drop in behind. Send The Boss (6) and Salt Creek Kid (7) are more likely mid pack runners. Fractions are expected to be fast.

Key Contenders: Mi Saturday (5) is a central figure with demonstrated stakes caliber speed and finishing ability at this track. Tzedakah (3) deserves serious respect as a four year old gelding with improving form and tactical speed to capitalize if the leaders weaken.

Secondary Choices: C W Prize (1) from the rail is a seasoned stakes performer with the class to compete strongly. Connors Outlaw (2) is another tough Oklahoma bred sprinter. Missin Hollywood (4) has pure speed and ability to take the field a long way on the lead.

Longshots: Salt Creek Kid (7) as an eight year old veteran may be overlooked but has experience and potential for a late run. Send The Boss (6) can outrun long odds if he gets a clean trip.

Race 8 – Claiming 6 Furlongs – 4:51 PM

Precious Cargo (1), Even Terms (2), Tigersaurus Rex (3), Social Sooner (4), The Squeaker (5), Title Talk (6), Njustlikethat (7), Code Mandalore (8), and Derby Day (9) complete the finale's nine horse field.

Pace: This six furlong Oklahoma bred sprint is loaded with potential pace. Tigersaurus Rex (3), Social Sooner (4), The Squeaker (5), and Title Talk (6) all suggest early or pace pressing speed. Derby Day (9) might also be forward from outside with light weight. Precious Cargo (1) and Even Terms (2) can be up close from inside. The early fractions could be sharp.

Key Contenders: Social Sooner (4) appears as a leading contender with his mid gate and likely pace pressing style. He can track early speed and make a decisive move at the quarter pole. Njustlikethat (7) is another key horse as a three year old gelding with upside and enough tactical speed to avoid being left behind.

Secondary Choices: The Squeaker (5) and Title Talk (6) are both legitimate win possibilities if they can seize the lead or sit off another speed horse. Even Terms (2) and Precious Cargo (1) are more likely involved early then hang on for a piece. Code Mandalore (8) and Derby Day (9) present outside speed and mid pack profiles.

Longshots: Precious Cargo (1) and Even Terms (2) might drift to higher odds despite inside draws. Derby Day (9) as a lightly built three year old with low weight and big outside draw could surprise.

Jockey Notes

Leandro Goncalves partners with key mounts including Sand Creek (1), Dontcallitacomebak (1), Gonnabeagoodday (6), Franchuchie (6), Connors Outlaw (2), and Title Talk (6), reflecting his status as a go to rider for top barns. Richard Eramia appears on multiple live horses including Good Product (3), Shelley's Money (1), Passed Promise (3), Nice Neighbor (2), Buck Pie (4), C W Prize (1), and Njustlikethat (7). David Cabrera has a solid book with Love Me A Sunset (3), Tall Cotton (5), Letta's Legacy (4), Mo Town Gold (1), Leviathan Axe (7), Mi Saturday (5), and Social Sooner (4). Curtis Kimes picks up important rides such as Aspirational (2), Downtown Motown (2), Copper Magician (3), Butchy Boy (1), and The Squeaker (5). Ronnie Huckaby rides Madethedean'slist (4), Gypsy Rose (4), Brunch Spot (1), Palace Rock (7), Missin Hollywood (4), Warhammer (8), and Derby Day (9).

Trainer Notes

Steve Williams and J. Alan Williams each send out multiple runners including Sand Creek (1), Gospel Native (2), Good Product (3), Town Hero (2), Franchuchie (6), and Code Mandalore (8). Scott Young has several live horses such as Brunch Spot (1), Tall Cotton (5), Fella's Sister (5), Miz Rithym (6), and Copper Magician (3). Mike Abney conditions Titanium Man (6) and Angel Kiss (3), while Patrick Swan trains Tzedakah (3) and Social Sooner (4). C. R. Trout sends out Letta's Legacy (4), and Offolter Joe S. trains Mo Town Gold (1), Buck Pie (4), and C W Prize (1).

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