Each Monday, I’ll select my Most Valuable Pony from the previous week’s racing action around the country. Who won the week? It could be a breakout performer, a known stakes commodity or the horse lifting the most loot. Chime in on Twitter @Xpressbet with your thoughts on who should be each week’s MVP.

October Nov. 9-15, 2020

MVP: Welder

Owner: Ra-Max Farms LLC (Clayton Rash)

Trainer: Teri Luneack

Jockey: David Cabrera

Performance: The 7-year-old Oklahoma-bred sprint legend romped to the Nov. 13 $70,000 Silver Goblin Stakes title by 5-1/2 lengths. Welder was never in doubt with a first-over press while covering 6-1/2 furlongs in 1:15.49. The victory in the Silver Goblin gave Welder 11 career Remington Park stakes victories, most in the track’s history. He’s now 5: 4-1-0 on the 2020 campaign and has won 25 of 37 lifetime starts for $1,179,018.

On Tap: An 8-year-old season is in the plans with stops at Oaklawn and/or Will Rogers Downs. Oaklawn’s King Cotton on February 8 could be his 2021 return. The Will Rogers stakes schedule in April, featuring the Highland Ice and the TRAO Classic Sprint have been customary circles on the calendar. A showdown with fellow, current 7-year-old and Breeders’ Cup Sprint winner Whitmore would make for a fun match-up at OP. Whitmore beat Welder by 2 lengths in the March 2019 Hot Springs.

Honorable Mentions: Rising star 2-year-old filly Astute blew them away by more than 7 lengths in Del Mar’s Nov. 14 Desi Arnaz Stakes. The Richard Mandella trainee could appear next in the Grade 2 Starlet at Los Al. Shea D Summer also dazzled the juvenile fillies ranks with a similar romp in Gulfstream Park West’s Nov. 14 Sunshine Millions Juvenile Fillies Sprint Preview. Finally, after moving too soon into a fast pace in the Valley View at Keeneland, Princess Grace timed things in sync to win Churchill’s Nov. 14 off-the-turf Grade 2 Mrs. Revere Stakes.