The $55,000 TRAO Classic Sprint moves into a new era Tuesday at Will Rogers Downs. It’s an era without Welder. The now-retired millionaire won five consecutive runnings of the race, which is for 3-year-olds and up bred in Okalahoma. Welder was so dominant, in fact, that the TRAO Sprint did not fill last meet. But in Welder’s absence, a field of seven has signed on for this year’s running, led by the Scott Young trainees Shannon C and Mesa Moon. Quality Rocket, a five-time stakes winner, adds further depth to the six-furlong race Tuesday. Shannon C is considered by some to be the heir apparent to Welder. He regularly battled that one the last few years and turned the tables on him in October when winning the Oklahoma Classics Sprint at Remington Park. It was the final career start for Welder, who finished third to a dominant Shannon C. The winner scored by three lengths and put up a career-high Beyer Speed Figure of 90. :: Want the best bonus in racing? Get a $250 deposit match, $10 free bet, and free Formulator with DRF Bets. Code: WINNING Shannon C has made one start since, finishing sixth in the $70,000 Silver Goblin on Nov. 12 at Remington. The race has become a key one, producing a pair of next-out allowance winners. Young said Shannon C was freshened after the Remington meet to gear up for a 2022 campaign. Shannon C comes into the TRAO Sprint off some strong works, among them five furlongs in 1:00.60 on March 28 at Will Rogers. Young wins at an above-average rate with runners returning from layoffs of 61 to 180 days. The barn also is hitting on all cylinders at Will Rogers. Through Thursday, Young was tied atop the local standings. He has gone 5 for 18 with his starters at the meet for a 28 percent strike rate. Shannon C is a son of Latent Heat and the mare Miranda Diane, who was to be honored with a stakes race in her name Monday at Will Rogers. She was a six-time stakes winner who earned $416,258 and had a particular affinity for Will Rogers. Shannon C is a three-time stakes winner who has earned $359,646 for B and S Racing, which bred and owns the 7-year-old. Shannon C is the leading earner for Miranda Diane. Leandro Goncalves has the mount from post 3. Mesa Moon has recency on his stablemate, as he has been racing at Oaklawn. He’s moving back into the Oklahoma-bred ranks after running second or third in three tough allowances in Arkansas. Mesa Moon is looking for his first stakes win. He is owned by his breeder, Cimarron TTT Farms. Floyd Wethey Jr. has the mount on Mesa Moon, the potential favorite, from post 6.