Arkansas-bred juvenile filly Powerfulattraction set for debut

CYPRESS, Calif. – An Arkansas-bred filly bought at a sale of 2-year-olds in training in Florida in March will have her career debut at Los Alamitos on Saturday.

The well-traveled Powerfulattraction has been working steadily at Santa Anita and was pronounced fit for her first start by trainer Peter Eurton on Thursday.

“We thought she was ready to run, and we want to give it a shot,” Eurton said.

Powerfulattraction, by the A.P. Indy stallion Commissioner, was purchased for $225,000 at the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Co. auction in March.

“This is a filly we liked in Ocala,” Eurton said.

Arkansas-bred runners are rare in California. Eurton said the filly’s state of origin was not a factor in her purchase.

“When you buy them, you don’t pay attention to where they’re bred,” he said.

On Saturday, Powerfulattraction will be ridden by Joe Talamo. The filly is one of five first-time starters in a field of six racing at five furlongs. The field for a maiden race at Los Alamitos is likely to be weaker than a similar race at Del Mar’s summer meeting, which begins July 17, Eurton said.

“It’s a good spot to get a race into her,” he said.

Golden Star Lady, the only filly in the field with race experience, drew the rail.

Golden Star Lady, purchased for $300,000 at Ocala in March, was a well-beaten second to Comical in her debut in a maiden special weight race at 4 1/2 furlongs as the 3-2 favorite. Golden Star Lady was trained by Jerry Hollendorfer for that race and was recently transferred to Ron Ellis.

Mucho Gusto works for Haskell

Mucho Gusto, the winner of the Grade 3 Affirmed Stakes at Santa Anita on June 16 and three other stakes, worked a half-mile in 48.20 seconds at Santa Anita on Thursday in preparation for the Grade 1 Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park on July 20.

The workout was the first for Mucho Gusto since he won the Affirmed Stakes at 1 1/16 miles by 2 1/4 lengths over stablemate Roadster, who won the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby in April and was 15th in the Kentucky Derby on May 4. Owned by Michael Petersen and trained by Bob Baffert, Mucho Gusto has won 5 of 7 starts and earned $430,800.