Golden Gate: Power of Nine sticks with what works in Debutante

The connections of some of the seven 2-year-old fillies entered in Saturday’s $50,000 Golden Gate Debutante may be looking toward upcoming two-turn stakes for the division, the Corte Madera on Dec. 3 and the California Oaks on Jan. 1. But trainer Lloyd Mason isn’t thinking that far ahead with Power of Nine.

Power of Nine is the only stakes winner in the field for the six-furlong Tapeta race, having won the six-furlong Wine Country Debutante at Santa Rosa on Aug. 6.

“We’re trying to do what works,” said Mason. “She’s won a stakes before sprinting.

“Definitely, we’d like to stretch her out in the future. She’s training very good. We’re just looking for a real good race by her.”

Power of Nine ran second here for a $32,0000 tag in her debut, then graduated in a maiden special weight race. She won the Wine Country Debutante next, and hasn’t raced since finishing sixth in the Generous Portion at Del Mar on Aug. 31.

Power of Nine has the home-field advantage, being based at Golden Gate Fields.

“That will help,” said Mason, who is also the filly’s co-breeder and co-owner. “She’s used to this track.”

Troy Taylor has settled in at Santa Anita with a string of horses that had been running at Hastings in British Columbia, including Century Union, who makes her U.S. debut in the Debutante.

Century Union went wire to wire in her May 8 debut at Hastings, then returned two months later and finished second in the New Westminster there. Century Union makes her first start in the nearly four months since that race. She shows a steady series of works at Santa Anita.

“I don’t know if she can beat those runners,” said Taylor. “I don’t know how good she is compared to them.”

The Jerry Hollendorfer-owned and -trained Lady of Fifty won her debut at 1-2 at Santa Rosa before finishing an even third in an Oct. 1 allowance race here.

I’m Tops has turned things around with a maiden claiming win and starter allowance victory in her past two starts.

Southern California-based trainer John Sadler sends up Eva’s Joy, who won her debut on the turf, and Katie’s Ten, who won a high-priced maiden claimer at Del Mar.

Purple Starduster comes in with a two-race win streak in claiming races.