Santa Rosa: Power of Nine prevails in Wine Country Debutante

Power of Nine, making her first start since winning her maiden June 9, got a perfect stalking trip and proved superior in the lane as she captured the $66,200 Wine Country Debutante Stakes at the Sonoma County Fair in Santa Rosa on Saturday.

Heavily favored City Route, seeking her fourth straight victory and third straight stakes win, didn’t fire and wound up fourth at 3-10 while suffering her first career loss.

Power of Nine sat a length off pacesetting Munnings Sister before beginning to move up while three wide into the stretch, she pulled even with the lead just inside the eighth pole, and continued on for a one-length victory, covering six furlongs in 1:11.63. She returned $21.40.

Roll Your Eyes, who defeated Power of Nine when both debuted for a $32,000 claiming tag on May 19, was last down the backstretch and closed best to be second, despite not changing leads in the stretch. Munnings Sister held on for third.

City Route was leaning inward and bobbled leaving the gate. She recovered quickly, but was unable to make the lead.

Power of Nine, a Capsized homebred, was bred by Robomar Racing Stables and trainer Lloyd Mason, who owns her in partnership with Robert Jones. She earned $41,600 to increase her lifetime earnings to $66,850.

Because of the presence of City Route, there was no show wagering. Both Power of Nine and Roll Your Eyes paid $11.40 to place.