E Z Star Maker aims for fourth straight win

E Z Star Maker will try to make it four straight wins when she runs in an open $12,500 claiming race that will serve as the feature race at Emerald Downs Friday. The six-furlong dash for fillies and mares drew eight horses and goes as race six on a seven-race card that begins at 6:30 p.m. Pacific.

E Z Star Maker is facing open company after just lasting in a $15,000 conditioned claimer on May 18. She was taking a big step up in class after easily winning a $4,000 nonwinners-of-three in her first start this year on April 28.

Trainer Howard Gibson, who has won with half of his eight starters at the meet, has given E Z Star Maker time to recover from her all-out win, and with two sharp interim works she appears to be primed for another strong effort with leading rider Gary Wales retaining the mount.

The speed of the speed, she will break from post 2, and there isn’t much doubt about where she will be during the early stages of the race.

E Z Star Maker will likely be under some early pressure from Getting Joellenned, who is coming off a front-running win for trainer Tom Wenzel in a $10,000 starter race on April 28.

If they hook up early, it could set the stage for a number of horses, including Beau Rocks, who lost by a neck to E Z Star Maker on May 18 before flopping as the chalk in a $15,000 conditioned claimer on June 1.

KEY CONTENDERS

E Z Star Maker, by He’s Tops

Last 3 Beyers: 61-59-61

◗ Lightly raced 6-year-old is facing open company for the first time.

◗ She has won 4 of 6 starts and didn’t break very well in her two losses.

◗ Her bullet half-mile move on June 10 tells us all we need to know about how she is doing.

Getting Joellened, by Trappe Shot

Last 3 Beyers: 68-48-66

◗ Portland Meadows stakes winner took them all the way in her latest, but she can stalk and could get a nice trip sitting just off E Z Star Maker.

◗ Not sure why it took her so long to make it back, but the past five years Wenzel has a 28 percent strike rate and $2.05 ROI with horses returning from 31 to 60 days.

Beau Rocks, by Rocky Bar

Last 3 Beyers: 61-61-56

◗ The Blaine Wright-trained 5-year-old finished with a rush in her neck loss to E Z Star Maker two races back. Considering she does her best running late, she may have been too close to the pace in her latest. It seemed like she was sitting on a big race.

A Filly Can Dream, by Coast Guard

Last 3 Beyers: 62-60-38

◗ The 4-year-old Washington-bred is trending in the right direction for leading trainer Frank Lucarelli, and with her tactical speed could get a nice trip from a forward position.