COZZE KID: A SMALL FILLY WITH A BIG HEART
The Jamie Thomas trained Cozze Kid stamped herself as a filly to watch out for in coming starts after a decisive allowance win last weekend. The 3-year-old daughter of Shanghai Kid made her first start off a 7-month layoff in last Friday’s fourth race, a six furlong sprint for allowance caliber 3-year-old fillies, and stalked the pace before drawing off to win the contest by 2 and a half lengths.
“She was training well heading into the race,” said Thomas. “She likes this track.”
Cozze Kid has always been well regarded. Although purchased for the bargain price of just $4,500 as a yearling, it was clear early on that the California-bred filly had ability.
“She was training really well before her first race,” remembered Thomas. “We bought her at the sale for an affordable price. She was well put together but just small. And she’s still small. But she can run.”
In her first start last May, she went off as the 2-1 second choice in a maiden special weight for 2-year-olds going four and a half furlongs. She demolished the competition, going straight to the lead and never looking back after that. The winning margin was 8 and ¾ lengths.
Following her dominant maiden victory, Cozze Kid finished off-the-board in two runs against stakes company. Thomas opted to give his filly time off after the undesirable finishes, and she was sent to the farm for a vacation.
“She had some baby problems; sore shins,” said Thomas. “So we turned her out for a while. She came back to the track really happy and healthy.”
Thomas, who co-owns Cozze Kid along with James Marsden, Myles McMahon and Rudy Roman, relayed that there are many different options for their filly moving forward.
“I think [Cozze Kid] can route,” said Thomas. “She is out of a Cozzene mare so that says turf. Obviously she’s got speed. We’ve got a lot of options. We’re excited to see how she does.”
LAST 2 LEGS OF THE STRONACH 5 WAGER GO THROUGH GOLDEN GATE
Legs D and E of the Stronach 5 wager this Friday go as Golden Gate’s fifth and sixth races, respectively. Race 5 features a competitive group of 10 older filly and mare allowance runners routing one mile. Race 6, the last leg of the Stronach 5, is a route event for 3-year-olds.
The Stronach 5 offers a $100,000 guaranteed pool this week. 8 races comprise the Friday program at Golden Gate.
FINISH LINES: On Saturday morning, 3-year-old colt Anothertwistafate logged his first morning workout since a runway victory in the El Camino Real Derby last month. The Blaine Wright trainee drilled a half-mile in 49.40 seconds. “He went good,” said jockey Juan Hernandez, who was aboard for the breeze…Speaking of Juan Hernandez, he celebrates his birthday this week, as does with GGF marketing manager Ryan Hilton…American Pastime, fourth place finisher in the 2017 Breeders Cup Sprint, is currently under the care of Bob Hess Sr. at Golden Gate Fields. Previously trained by Bob Hess Jr., the 5-year-old gelding was last seen finishing off-the-board in the Grade 1 Bing Crosby Stakes at Del Mar last July…Golden Gate Fields welcomes TVG’s Scott Hazelton, Joaquin Jaime and Anna James as guests this racing week. Hazelton will be on-air, broadcasting live from GGF on Thursday. Jaime will take over the duties Friday through Sunday. James, a “jack of all traits” behind the scenes, will be filming the coverage…Jockey Abel Cedillo has a 64-47 win lead over Juan Hernandez in the jockey standings while Jonathan Wong possesses a commanding 44-16 lead over Jerry Hollendorfer in the trainer standings…Southern California jockeys Heriberto Figueroa, Ruben Fuentes (listed as an alternate) Aaron Gryder and apprentice Jorge Velez all have at least one mount on the Saturday card…10 races will be run on Saturday, one more than the usual 9.