Parkers Delight can turn tables on Colleen's Diamond

When Parkers Delight and Colleen’s Diamond met in a $20,000 open claiming race at Emerald Downs on June 3, Colleen’s Diamond broke on top and never looked back while easily winning the 5 1/2-furlong dash by three lengths. With other speed signed on in a $25,000 conditional claimer that will serve as Friday’s feature, Parkers Delight has a good chance of turning the tables in the six-furlong sprint, which drew seven older runners.

The race is restricted to horses which have never won two races. However, maiden, claiming or starter races for $22,500 or less are not considered.

Parkers Delight is an eight-time winner, easily the most wins in the field, and last year she compiled a solid 3-2-1 record from 8 starts. Her three wins came for three different trainers beginning with a 1 1/4-length victory in a $20,000 conditional claimer at Golden Gate Fields for Frank Lucarelli. Her next two wins, at Emerald Downs, were for Blaine Wright and Jeff Metz.

Her last win, for Metz, came in a $15,000 open claimer on May 29, 2017. Acting on behalf of Beate Holshouser, Vince Gibson claimed her out of the race, and following a sixth-place finish in a $20,000 claimer on July 16, he turned her out for the remainder of the year.

In her first start back on May 18 she chased the pace before tiring to finish fourth in a race with the same conditions as Friday’s race. She took a step forward with a runner-up finish in her latest outing. Gary Wales rode her in both starts.

On Friday, she will break from post 2 with Julien Couton riding her for the first time. Wales will be aboard Guardian One, who will be among the favorites when she breaks from post 6.

KEY CONTENDERS

Parkers Delight, by Parker’s Storm Cat
Last 3 Beyers: 57-52-58

◗ She should get the right kind of trip, knows where the wire is, and could be sitting on a peak performance in the third start of her form cycle.

Colleen’s Diamond, by Rosberg
Last 3 Beyers: 64-51-56

◗ Prior to her last two starts, which came at Emerald for trainer Charles Essex, the British Columbia-bred 5-year-old was based at Hastings, where her best performance was a runner-up finish in the $50,000 Emerald Downs Handicap as a 3-year-old.

◗ She was unlucky when she lost by a neck in her first start at Emerald in a $15,000 claiming race for non-winners of two June 3, and she showed her affinity for the local surface with her romp last time.

◗ She drew the rail, from where leading rider Rocco Bowen will likely call on her substantial speed right from the start.

Guardian One, by Coast Guard
Last 3 Beyers: 61-63-69

◗ Trained by Chris Stenslie, she had more than one excuse when she finished third in a $10,000 starter allowance race June 1, and with her tactical speed she should get a nice trip from a stalking position.