Koukla’s professional-looking debut in a maiden special weight on closing day at Hollywood Park signal the promise of great things to come for the 2-year-old daughter of Northern Afleet.
Tracking in fifth through a half-mile in :45.65, Koukla moved up to challenge Gouyen in mid-stretch, then deftly pulled away in the final furlong to score by 2 1/4-lengths for trainer John Sadler and owner Hronis Racing LLC.
Koukla is out of Pacific Ocean Song, a half-sister to Ack Ack S. winner Lethal Instrument. She sold for $315,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic 2-year-olds in Training sale this May, the highest figure paid for a filly at the sale.