Diamonds Dena eyes fourth straight win Sunday
Diamonds Dena looked like she was destined to be another bottom-level claimer when she was struggling to get past her conditions at Turf Paradise earlier this year. She has been a completely different horse since she arrived at Emerald Downs this spring, however, and looks like the horse to beat in a $25,000 starter optional claimer that headlines the 10-race card Sunday.
Trained by Manuel Ortiz, Diamonds Dena will be gunning for her fourth straight win at Emerald in the one-mile race for fillies and mares that drew six horses. If her last race is any indication, she’s probably going to get it.
In her latest win, she came from a stalking position to blow away Belladiva in a one-mile, $25,000 optional-claiming race July 18. She was taking a substantial step up in class after winning a $7,500 conditional claimer May 17 and a $10,000 open claiming race June 6.
The vastly improved 4-year-old filly has good tactical speed and figures to get a nice trip sitting off Among the Stars.
Juan Gutierrez, aboard for her three wins, retains the mount.
Among the Stars also was on a roll with two straight wins for $10,000 and $15,000 before not being able to keep up with a fast pace in a $50,000 optional-claiming race going six furlongs July 5.
Among the Stars, a Candi Tollett trainee, will appreciate the class relief. She is the horse they will have to catch, and she has carried her substantial speed the whole way in three of her four starts at the distance.
KEY CONTENDERS
Diamonds Dena (Last 3 Beyers: 68-65-60)
◗ Note the rising Beyer Speed Figures, and considering the way she finished after dropping back to get off the rail heading into the stretch turn in her latest win, there is a good chance she hasn’t reached her peak yet.
Among the Stars (Last 3 Beyers: 47-63-71)
◗ The speedy 4-year-old daughter of Harbor the Gold may have tipped her hand when she worked a bullet five furlongs in 58.80 seconds July 18. Catch her if you can.
Call Me Cinderella (Last 3 Beyers: 70-61-63)
◗ After losing her out of a winning race for $5,000 on June 12, trainer Rigoberto Velasquez claimed her back for $8,000 on July 4. She returned a quick dividend with a 5 1/4-length win going 1 1/16 miles in a $10,000 claiming race July 19. The 70 Beyer she received is the highest last-race figure in this field.