Cosmo Nan moves up, stretches out

ALBANY, Calif. - Trainer Steve Specht knows quite a bit about Cosmo Nan, but he'll know a lot more after she runs in Thursday's Golden Gate Fields feature.

A 2-year-old filly bred and owned by Specht, Cosmo Nan won her debut by three lengths at Santa Rosa in a bottom-level maiden claimer.

On Thursday, she runs in a $40,000 starter allowance while stretching out from five furlongs to six.

Cosmo Nan sat fairly close early, rallied three wide, opened a three-length advantage early in the lane, and maintained it to the wire in her July 26 debut at Santa Rosa.

"She didn't surprise me at all," Specht said of her debut.

As in many $12,500 maiden claimer races, there seemed to be several capable runners in the field. Runner-up Real Private came back and won her next start.

Cosmo Nan's debut wasn't a walkover by any means, and Specht is leery of several of Thursday's rivals.

"Several won for higher claiming levels, including the horse from down south," he said, speaking of St Wager, who graduated in a $40,000 maiden claimer in her second start at Del Mar.

My Lacie Cat, a half sister to stakes-winning Lacie Girl, graduated for $32,000 at Golden Gate Fields in her second start after dropping down from maiden special weight company.

Party of Two graduated for a $32,000 tag, while Jet Jockey, second for $12,500 in her debut, defeated a $20,000 field in her second start.

Only Somekinda Romance, who drew the rail, graduated at the same low level as Cosmo Nan, stalking and pulling away late as the favorite.

St Wager hasn't shown much early foot in her two starts, but she finished strongly despite racing wide on the turn in her win.

None of the runners has yet shown much speed, and Cosmo Nan probably could inherit the lead if she and her rider want it.

My Lacie Cat set the pace despite breaking a bit slowly from the rail last time. She rushed up and faltered a bit in the lane before digging in gamely to regain the lead after being headed.

Jet Jockey showed similar gameness in the lane after being passed at the quarter pole.

Specht isn't approaching Cosmo Nan's second start quite as confidently as he approached her debut.

"You never know for sure," he said. "She's a nice filly, but I don't know what her value is.

"This may be a little tougher spot than I wanted, but I'm just happy to get a chance to run her. This is the first winners' race to go for her."