Fast Navy faces early pressure

ALBANY, Calif. - The Brazilian mare Fast Navy, a winner at Bay Meadows in her U.S. debut, will bid for a repeat in Friday's Golden Gate Fields feature, a $50,000 optional claimer at one mile.

The 5-year-old Fast Navy impressed in a first-level allowance race on Sept. 2 at Bay Meadows. She set the early pace, was nearly headed at the quarter pole, but found another gear as she pulled away to win by six lengths over Aim for Victory, who won her next start.

faces plenty of pace pressure in Friday's race from Bernstein's Babe and Victory Script, both stretching out for the first time. Garden Whimsy, Gotta Go Gal, and Eleanor Rose also have early speed.

Fast Navy ran fourth in a Group 1 race in her native Brazil and won a minor stakes race in her final start there before coming north to Paulo Lobo's barn. She has worked steadily since late October and looks tough on the front end.

It's anyone's guess, however, whether Fast Navy will be willing to relax and let someone else take the lead if challenged.

, who drew the rail, has always flashed speed when sprinting. She has not attempted a mile before, but is bred to love the distance. Freshened since a Sept. 16 sprint at this level, she has a pair of five-furlong bullets in her past three works.

, who set the pace last time against similar, will have someone to chase this time, which could improve her chances.