Zazen gets class check in allowance

Zazen will try to prove her 8 3/4-length romp in a $15,000 maiden claimer was no fluke when she tackles tougher in a first-level allowance race that headlines the seven-race card Saturday at Emerald Downs. The six-furlong dash for 3-year-old fillies drew six horses and goes as the sixth race. Zazen is taking advantage of the $30,000 claiming option available.

Trained by Blaine Wright, Zazen was making her first start of the year when she cruised to victory over Let It Reign on May 21. With Juan Gutierrez aboard, the Washington-bred daughter of Grazen opened up a clear lead early in the 5 1/2-furlong dash and never looked back. She will break from post 3 on Saturday with Gutierrez up.

Zazen will have to deal with other speed, particularly the Frank Lucarelli-trained Gold N Glitter, who breaks from the inside post with Kevin Orozco riding.

A Washington-bred daughter of Harbor the Gold, Gold N Glitter showed a lot of promise when she won her 2-yearold debut by 9 1/2 lengths. The impressive performance in the $25,000 maiden claimer helped make her the oddson favorite in the $50,000 Barbara Shinpoch where she could not keep up with Kron, who was an easy winner of the 6 1/2-furlong race. Gold N Glitter did hold on well to finish second, and she came back with another decent effort when she finished third to Kron in the $48,500 Washington Cup Juvenile Fillies to complete her juvenile campaign.

In her only start this year, Gold N Glitter finished third after dueling with Preskitt in a first-level allowance race May 21. Preskitt went on to win the 5 1/2-furlong sprint by 1 1/4 lengths.

Gold N Glitter has a right to move forward with a race under her belt, and she could be dangerous if Orozco can get her to stalk Zazen and possibly Enchanting Way.

Trained by Rigoberto Velasquez, Enchanting Way won her debut in a $25,000 maiden claimer by 6 1/2 lengths on Aug. 1. An Oregon-bred daughter of Harbor the Gold, Enchanting did not race again until she finished second in a $25,000 claimer for 3-year-old fillies nonwinners of two on May 29. It was a solid effort as she held on well to lose by a neck after dueling through honest fractions in the 5 1/2-furlong dash won by Ms Parkside, who came from a stalking position.