Will Rogers Downs in Claremore, Okla., opens its 29-date meet Monday with an allowance feature that could produce starters for a couple of upcoming stakes races. The season runs through May 25. The eighth race is a two-other-than allowance for fillies and mares over six furlongs, and the field of seven includes stakes winner Casino Queen. The feature is for open company, but it drew a number of Oklahoma-breds and as such it could be a stepping-stone to the $55,000 Miranda Diane for statebreds April 11. The race could also produce starters for the $50,000 Wilma Mankiller for fillies and mares May 2. :: Want to start playing with a $510 bankroll and have access to free Formulator? Learn more Casino Queen is making her first start since November and she indicated her readiness to return to racing with a bullet five-furlong work in 1:00.80 Tuesday at Will Rogers. In her last start, she finished fifth going five furlongs on turf for a $30,000 tag at Remington on Nov. 6. The last time she ran on the main track she was third in the $114,000 Oklahoma Classics Day Distaff Sprint on Oct. 15 at Remington Park. Casino Queen won a stakes at Fair Meadows last July. Floyd Wethey Jr. has the mount on the front-running mare for breeder Kelly Thiesing and trainer Kenneth Nolen. Sweet Mary M is making her first start since finishing second in that Nov. 6 turf sprint at Remington. Sweet Mary M has turned in a trio of bullet works for her return, among them five-eighths in 59.80 seconds March 11 at Sam Houston. Last year, Sweet Mary M was third in the Miranda Diane at Will Rogers. War Ballad is making her second start of the year after running fifth in a $16,000 claiming race Feb. 13 at Oaklawn. Apprentice John Hiraldo travels to Will Rogers for the mount Monday. Race 4 is a first-level allowance for 3-year-olds and up going six furlongs. It drew Hot Ticket, who won his debut last December at Remington and has not raced since. Hot Ticket is by Tapit out of the mare Share the Music, who is a half-sister to Cat Burglar, a stakes winner of more than $500,000. ◗ The Will Rogers stakes schedule comprises eight races and includes the $50,000 Highland Ice for 3-year-olds and up at six furlongs May 3 and the $55,000 Cherokee Nation Classic Cup for 3-year-olds and up over 1 1/16 miles May 25. The latter race shares a card with the $55,000 More Than Even for fillies and mares at the same distance, with both races restricted to horses bred in Oklahoma. Will Rogers is racing Monday through Wednesday most weeks, with a first post of 1 p.m. Central.