Streaking mares clash for $15,000 tag

Diamonds Dena will try to extend her three-race winning streak when she runs in a $15,000 claiming race at Emerald Downs on Friday evening. Also on a roll is Winninginfashion, who is going for the hat trick after back-to-back wins in $8,000 claiming races.

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They look like the main players in the 1 1/16-mile race for fillies and mares, which drew six horses. Post time for the first of seven races is 6:30 p.m. Pacific.

Diamonds Dena will be making her first start for trainer Larry Ross. Acting on behalf of the Emerald Racing Club, Ross claimed her for $15,000 out of her latest win July 8. Similar to her win for the same price and at the same distance June 19, Diamonds Dena came from a stalking position in the one-mile race.

Diamonds Dena is versatile, as evidenced by her first win in the streak. With Jake Barton aboard, she rallied from well back to win a $10,000 claiming race May 20 for trainer Manuel Ortiz Sr.

Diamonds Dena drew post 3. Erick Lopez, who was aboard for her last two races, retains the mount.

Winninginfashion, trained by Dan Markle, also is versatile. She was almost 10 lengths behind at the first call when she won going a mile July 10 with Francisco Duran aboard. In her latest win, with Eswan Flores riding, she forced the pace before taking control of the one-mile race in midstretch.

Flores retains the mount on Winninginfashion. If she breaks alertly from post 5, she likely will be sitting just off front-runner Ronda Rocks, who set the pace in Diamonds Dena’s latest tally.

KEY CONTENDERS

Diamonds Dena, by Northern Afleet

Last 3 Beyers: 68-67-67

◗ She is a horse for the course, with six wins and a runner-up finish from eight starts at Emerald.

DRF FORMULATOR FACT: Since 2012, Ross has a 25 percent strike rate with claimed horses making their first start for him.

Winninginfashion, by In Excess

Last 3 Beyers: 70-68-52

◗ The 6-year-old mare is on top of her game, and there is a good chance she will retain her sharpness. Following her win July 24, she came back with a quick four-furlong move in 46.80 seconds Aug. 5.

Ronda Rocks, by Rockport Harbor

Last 3 Beyers: 66-45-50

◗ Trained by Tim McCanna, she is the one they will be chasing, with Leslie Mawing retaining the mount. She was coming off a couple of sprints when she took them a long way in her runner-up finish behind Diamonds Dena and could be dangerous in her second straight route.