Zestful © Benoit Photo

Claimed for $40,000 a month ago, razor-sharp Zestful made it five victories in a row with a hard-earned triumph in Del Mar’s feature race Thursday.

Taking command from the gate under Joe Talamo, Zestful was well-rated on the lead, responded when challenged by Zeke in the stretch and held on gamely to win by three-quarters of a length.

Zip the Monkey, a 14-1 longshot, closed well to be second, a neck in front of Zeke, who faded in the late stages of the mile and one-sixteenth race on grass. Builder was fourth.

Zestful, debuting in the colors of new owners Steve Sobel, Danny Haramoto, Sheldon Kawahara and trainer Mark Glatt, scored her eighth victory in 23 starts. As the 2-1 second choice to 9-5 Builder, the son of Ghostzapper returned $6.80, $4.40 and $3.40.

Zip the Monkey paid $11 and $6, while third-place Zeke returned $4.

Zestful provided conditioner Glatt with his second success of the afternoon, also having sent out Denman’s Call to win the third race for a $7.20 payoff.