Cosmonaut Rockets to Easy Golden Gate Win

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Cosmonaut, the longest shot in the five-horse Golden Gate Fields Handicap, launched a huge bid on the far turn and drew away to an easy 4 1/4-length win in the off-the-turf stakes race worth $150,000 at the Albany, Calif., track Saturday.

Ridden by Tony Farina for trainer Patrick Biancone, the 4-year-old Cosmonaut ended a four-race losing streak while winning for the first time on the dirt. The final time for the 1 1/8-mile event was 1:48 3/5 on a good track. The gray son of Lemon Drop Kid   earned his first stakes win.

Cosmonaut was close to the pace from the start while rating in third as Symphony Sid set fractions of :22 4/5, :46 4/5 and 1:11. Three wide as the field reached the quarter pole, Cosmonaut took the lead as Symphony Sid gave way and quickly opened up a large lead in the stretch. He led by five lengths at the furlong marker and held sway under steady urging from Farina.

The victory, Cosmonaut's third in 11 lifetime starts, was worth $82,500 to owner Flying Zee Stable, pushing the Kentucky-bred colt's earnings to $206,255.

With no show wagering, he paid $13.80 and $4.80. Adreamisborn, one of three horses in the field trained by Jerry Hollendorfer, returned $2.80.

The 7-year-old gelding Adreamisborn, who has now been in the money in 25 of his 32 starts, finished 5 1/2 lengths in front of Cheroot. The entry of Ace Blue and Symphony Sid brought up the rear.

(Chart, Equibase)

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