Zazen can rebound with a clean break

Despite losing her last race by over 32 lengths, Zazen is the one to beat in an allowance race for nonwinners of two or nonwinners of three Washington-breds that will serve as the feature race at Emerald Downs on Friday.

The 6 1/2-furlong dash for fillies and mares drew six horses and goes as race 6 on an seven-race card that begins at 7 p.m. Pacific.

Zazen, trained by Dan Markle, likes to be involved early and she lost any chance she had when she bobbled leaving the starting gate in the $50,000 Kent for 3-year-old fillies July 17. She did move into contention at the first call, but proceeded to drop back and eventually lost touch with the field.

In her previous race June 26, Zazen made no mistakes in winning a race with the same conditions as Friday’s feature. She dueled with Oreo’s Dream and Donne Cattive for the first quarter-mile and then drew off to win the six-furlong dash by a widening four lengths with Kevin Radke up.

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The Washington-bred daughter of Grazen was making her first start for Markle who was acting on behalf of Sue and Time Spooner when he claimed her for $30,000 out of a runner-up finish in a first-level allowance race that carried a $30,000 claiming option on June 11. She opened up a clear lead and held on well to lose the six-furlong dash by a neck to Gold N Glitter, who came back to finish third in the Kent.

Going into the Kent, Zazen had received a 62 Beyer Speed Figure in her previous three races, which included an easy 8 3/4-length romp in a $15,000 maiden claimer in her first start of the year for trainer Blaine Wright on May 21.

A similar Beyer would likely be good enough for Zazen to win Friday, and she should be tough to reel in if she breaks alertly from post 2 with Radke aboard.

There is other speed in the field, which could help the Candi Cryderman-trained Cielo Diamante.

The Washington-bred daughter of Cupid is coming off a runner-up finish in a $25,000 claimer for 3-year-old fillies July 1. She trailed the field early before closing with a rush to finish a length behind Fire Escape, who led from start to finish in the 5 1/2-furlong dash.

Cielo Diamante, a two-time winner on Tapeta at Golden Gate Fields, is looking for her first victory on dirt. She could get it if an all-out duel develops up front.

She will break from post 3 with Javier Matias riding.

Pearl River Delta, trained by Alan Bozell, used her good speed to score a front-running victory over Oreo’s Dream at this level July 16.

With Radke aboard, Pearl River Delta set moderate interior fractions in the 6 1/2-furlong dash for fillies and mares.

Other speed will make her task more difficult after she breaks from the rail with Alex Cruz up.

The 5-year-old Oreo’s Dream could not catch Pearl River Delta last time, but she can stalk and the shape of the race should work for her. She could also be sitting on a peak performance in her third start this year for trainer Gregory Moore.