Auburn Handicap winner Posse Power is among three horses trainer Frank Lucarelli has nominated to the $50,000 Pepsi-Cola Handicap to be run Sunday, June 27.

Eight 3-year-olds are nominated to the one-mile Pespi-Cola, which is the first two-turn test for 3-year-olds on the road to the Aug. 15 Emerald Derby.

Posse Power was sparkling in his Emerald Downs debut last month. The 3-year-old Posse colt rallied from six lengths back for a 1 ¾-length victory on a sloppy track in the 6 ½-furlong Auburn Handicap. Before that, Posse Power was tested against some of the finest 3-year-olds on the west coast while finishing eighth in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby and a troubled third in the Grade III El Camino Real Derby.

Lucarelli also nominated Blame the Jockey, a double winner this meet vs. claimers, and Michael the Man, proven at the mile distance in Northern California.

Koala Beach, one of the top 2-year-olds last season, has been training forwardly for trainer Doris Harwood. The Harbor the Gold gelding won the Gottstein Futurity and Dennis Dodge Stakes by eight lengths each last year. Harwood has sent out the last two Pepsi-Cola winners, Noosa Beach (2009) and Margo’s Gift (2008).

English import Silk Street has been campaigning in Southern California where he scored his maiden victory by 1-¾ lengths on Santa Anita’s unique downhill turf course.

Saratoga Boot has been sharp this season for trainer Tim McCanna, including a second vs. Posse Power in the Auburn Handicap. Newfound Man has won two-of-three career starts and comes off a three-length victory over Blame the Jockey in a six-furlong optional claiming race May 9. And Bogachiel, also by Harbor the Gold, has shown good speed in sprints for trainer Bonnie Jenne and would be trying two turns for the first time.