Expected fast pace will help Nan Elizabeth

Nan Elizabeth will try to get back on the winning track when facing a speed-laden field in Friday’s $25,000 claiming feature over 6 1/2 furlongs at Emerald Downs.

Nan Elizabeth, owned by Luciano Gabriel and Hon Cheung Kum, was a four-time winner at Emerald Downs in 2023. She has been troubled by poor starts and paceless contests so far this year. The 6-year-old daughter of Flat Out lands in a race filled with pace possibilities on Friday. Luciano Gabriel trains Nan Elizabeth and Silvio Amador is named to ride.

Beginning in July of last year, Nan Elizabeth reeled off wins in four consecutive sprints, each won with a patented rally from well behind. That style isn’t often dependable on the local course as the strategy tends to need help in the way of a contested early pace up front.

The field of eight entered for Friday’s feature includes four last-out winners, a trio of which were in front at every call during those triumphs. Still another, She’s So Shiny, was in front early before finishing second in her first start since March.

Tim McCanna trains She’s So Shiny, who was making her Emerald Downs debut in that June 7 prep after three months away.

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“She seems to be handling the surface all right,” McCanna said. “I’d rather run long.” She’s So Shiny has raced a mile in six of her past seven starts.

Others vying for early command could include Reign of Fire, Frisco Frills, and Goat Rocks.

Oreo’s Dream, She’s So Shiny, Zazen, and Bangie Go all have a tractable style, though each likes to race near to the pace.

Oreo’s Dream will break from the rail. The daughter of Coast Guard has raced only once since August 2023, but she made it count, winning a six-furlong race in 1:09.85 on May 25. That win marked the first time Oreo’s Dream won after trailing by more than a half-length at any point of call. The rail draw will present a challenge for jockey Juan Gutierrez, but he should be more comfortable about his options after having witnessed the mare’s versatility in her most recent race.

Once the early speed sorts itself out, the pace-pressers are expected to leap into action to maintain a heated tempo. This should in theory set the table quite nicely for Nan Elizabeth, who will need to avoid an especially slow beginning and/or a wide trip.

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