U.S. debut for Profitability
ARCADIA, Calif. - It took Profitability three races to win a race in England, finally doing so at Salisbury in June. The next stage of her career, the American one, begins Friday in a $49,000 allowance race at Santa Anita, her debut for Ken Porter and trainer Neil French.
Profitability will make the longest start of her career in Friday's race, at 1 1/8 miles on turf. French is optimistic the filly can win.
"She acts like she's got a lot of class," French said. "She's very push-button. I never expect them to win, but I expect her to run well. She could win."
French said he has spoken with previous trainer John Gosden's staff about the filly.
"They had good things to say about her," he said. "I guess she had a troubled trip last time. She has a big turn of foot and weaved through traffic."
French said that Profitability arrived in California in August and that he considered starting her at Del Mar.
"She came in in very good shape," he said.
Profitability is one of 11 fillies entered in a race that will have a safety limit of 10 starters. Profitability drew post 9 and will be ridden by Jose Valdivia Jr.
The field features several contenders, including Restless Soul and Exquisite, who were second and third in an allowance race on turf at Del Mar on Aug. 28; Fire n' Brimstone, who has placed second or third in six of her last seven starts; and My Little Margie, who is returning from a layoff of nearly 14 months.
My Little Margie was a troubled third in an optional claimer at Del Mar in August 2007 when trained by Ron McAnally. She has since been moved to trainer Tim Yakteen. Owned by Al and Sandee Kirkwood, My Little Margie won a maiden race in France in April 2007.
Restless Soul has been second or third in four starts in this country this year. She was beaten 1 1/2 lengths on Aug. 28. Trainer Ben Cecil's biggest concern about Friday's race is a lack of pace, combined with Restless Soul's style of coming from off the pace.
"We can't change too much," Cecil said. "Maybe she can be a little closer. I don't think she ran too well when she was up close at Hollywood."