by Evan Pattak, for The Meadows

MEADOW LANDS, PA, March 29, 2005—Spicegirl Kosmos, who had the best view from ninth at the half-mile mark, swooped a good field of 3- and 4-year-old filly trotters Tuesday night at The Meadows to capture the $14,000 championship leg of the BJ’s Treasure, a late-closing series.

Spicegirl Kosmos made up 10 lengths on the outside to score in 1:59, 1-3/4 lengths ahead of Boopsie, with Sunbury Girl in third.

Spicegirl Kosmos had won two legs of the series from outside post positions, which persuaded driver Dave Palone that he didn’t need to rush the daughter of S J’s Photo to the front.

“I’d driven some of the horses in this race, so I thought it would get a little heated early,” Palone said. “I’d used her hard the last couple weeks, and you hate to get these fillies in the routine of getting hot. I thought she laid over them, so I wanted to race her the right way.

“She has a terrific attitude, she’s a good-gaited filly, she comes from a sharp barn, so maybe the sky’s the limit.”

Sent off as the 1-5 favorite, Spicegirl Kosmos provided some anxious moments for her supporters, including trainer Chris Beaver, who co-owns the trotter with David S. Lang.

“I knew Dave would take her off the trot, but I was a little worried when she was that far back,” Beaver said. “Then she was so wide in the turn, but Dave said he was never worried.”

Beaver acquired Spicegirl Kosmos as a yearling for $14,000, a relative bargain considering her family’s record. She’s a full sister to Scully FBI, an outstanding performer in Pennsylvania Sires Stakes who went on to become one of the sport’s top mare trotters. But a mysterious knee injury limited Spicegirl’s 3-year-old campaign to five starts.

“I was getting her ready for her first sires stake when she broke down on me,” Beaver said. “She got sore in her right knee. We never figured out what it was, but she was too lame to race. We gave her stall rest, turned her out, and she came out of it.”

The BJ’s Treasure victory was Spicegirl Kosmos’ sixth win in nine starts this year, and it pushed her career bankroll to just about $31,000. Beaver said he’s still pondering where next to race his 4-year-old.

“She has no stake races this year,” Beaver said. “We’ve been talking about taking her back to Canada. She still fits in pretty cheaply up there. I plan to race her conservatively—not every week—and see how she develops. She may be a stake horse next year.”

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The series was named for Bob Key’s BJ’s Treasure, and Key was represented by a three-horse entry in the $4,000 consolation leg. Sassy Yank Key K finished second for Key, but the win went to Plumao with Wilbur Yoder in the sulky. Charles Vigneron trains Plumao and co-owns with Cheryl A. Vigneron.

Palone had six victories on the card, including one with Mypanmar, a winner of more than $95,000 last year at 3 who was making his seasonal debut. Known for withering early speed, Mypanmar was wrangled back to fifth and appeared uncomfortable off the lead. But when Palone pressed the button, Mypanmar was happy enough going first over, winning handily in 1:53.3.

Among the appreciative spectators in attendance was Bob Glazer of Peter Pan Stables, the owner of Mypanmar.