Summanus knocking at the door

Summanus looks like the one to beat in a $15,000 claimer for nonwinners of two that will serve as the feature race Friday at Emerald Downs. However, a case could be made for just about any of the eight horses entered in the six-furlong dash for 3-year-olds that goes as race 6 on the seven-race card that begins at 7 p.m. Pacific.

The Blaine Wright-trained Summanus has had eight cracks at getting his second win since he took them all in the way in his romp in a $12,500 maiden-claimer on Nov. 7 at Golden Gate Fields. In his latest outing, he chased the pace before settling for third in a $15,000 claimer for 3-year-old nonwinners of two on July 8. Despite getting bumped around at the start, he lost the six-furlong race by just a half-length.

He will break from post 6 with Kevin Radke retaining the mount.

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Breaking from the rail is Mischief Road, who exits the same race and was in the mix early before finishing a length behind Summanus. His win came in his debut in a $16,000 maiden claimer on Dec. 21 at Parx Racing, and the Washington-bred son of Curlin to Mischief has a right to improve in his third start at Emerald for trainer Candice Cryderman.

Syzslak was making his first start for trainer Jennifer Nunnally when he dueled through honest fractions before fading to fifth in a $25,000 claimer for 3-year-old nonwinners of two on June 18.

Acting on behalf of B Fekkes Dairy, Nunnally claimed the Washington-bred son of Danzing Candy out of his win in an $8,000 maiden claimer for Wright on June 5.

Wright also trained You’re the Cause when he came from a stalking position to win an $8,000 maiden claimer on July 9. With plenty of potential speed in the field, the Kentucky-bred son of Creative Cause could get a the right trip while making his first start for trainer Debbie Van Horne, who claimed You’re the Cause on behalf of WilWin Stable.

Whatsthediff just missed to Man in Black when he debuted in a $15,000 maiden claimer on June 10 and could take another step forward following his victory for the same price for trainer Tom Wenzel on July 2.

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The Vince Gibson-trained Man in Black was making his initial start when he took them all the way June 10 and lost any chance he had when he got off to a horrible start breaking from the rail in the same race Summanus exits on July 8. He drew the outside post and could make an impact with a better start than he had in his previous race.

After the Candy, trained by Jeff Metz, will appreciate the easier company after finishing sixth in a first-level allowance race with a $75,000 claiming option on Jan. 6 at Turf Paradise. He went into the race off a 6 3/4-length romp in a $7,500 maiden claimer on Dec., 6 at Turf Paradise.

The lightly raced Stylish Elegance is eligible to improve following his win June 18 in a $15,000 maiden claimer for Emerald’s all-time leading trainer, Frank Lucarelli.