Before Border Control won a maiden race by seven lengths at Pleasanton in late October, trainer Jose Bautista thought the filly had stakes potential. Bautista could not have envisioned he would have to beat family to prove his point. When Border Control starts in Saturday’s $75,000 Golden Gate Debutante at 1 1/16 miles, one of her main rivals is Big Soiree, trained by Jorge Baustista, Jose’s 49-year-old cousin. Border Control closed from fifth after a slow start to win a six-furlong race Oct. 26. Jose Bautista, 38, said Border Control has trained forwardly since then. “She was training very good” before her first start, he said. “In her works, she was very professional and mature for a 2-year-old. You don’t get to see that very often. :: Bet the races with a $200 First Deposit Match + FREE All Access PPs! Join DRF Bets. “I knew she could do it.” To prepare for a race at 1 1/16 miles, Border Control has been worked around the first turn, which her trainer says is not the same as a race. “That’s just the morning workouts,” he said. Border Control, who races for Ed and Carol DeNike, broke slowly in her debut, which has led to recent gate schooling, Jose Bautista said. A better start could give Border Control a prominent position in the Golden Gate Debutante. Alejandro Gomez, who was aboard for the win in the maiden race, retains the mount. “I think she’ll break a little sharper,” Jose Bautista said. “I don’t think she’ll go to the lead. Hopefully, I can lay second or third.” Border Control has a pedigree that suggests a two-turn race is within expectations. By Mendelssohn, Border Control is a half-sister to Combatant, winner of the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap at 1 1/4 miles at Santa Anita in 2020. Of the six runners in the Golden Gate Debutante, only Sunset Grazen has won around two turns, in a $16,000 claimer for maidens by 11 lengths at a mile and 70 yards on Nov. 8. The only other runner with two-turn experience is Lolo La Plume, who is winless in three one-mile maiden races on turf in Southern California. Lolo La Plume is not without a chance, considering she has raced against well-regarded runners in those losses. Big Soiree is the only two-time winner in the field, with victories in a maiden race at 5 1/2 furlongs at Fresno in September and an allowance race on Nov. 17 at Pleasanton. In both races, Big Soiree rallied from off the pace. An outside post may boost Big Soiree’s chances, her trainer said. “I think it’s the best post for her,” Jorge Bautista said. “When she runs good, she runs on the outside. She’s got a lot of talent.” :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.