Astronomer could be a star in the making
At this time last year at Del Mar, a first-time starter closed from sixth in the last furlong to win a maiden special weight race for 2-year-olds at a mile on turf at 16-1. Rombauer showed a sharp rally to win that day and has grown up nicely, winning the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico in May.
Saturday at Del Mar, there are eight 2-year-olds in a maiden special weight race at a mile on turf. The field has two first-time starters, including the well-regarded Astronomer trained by Simon Callaghan.
Astronomer, co-owned by Alice Bamford and Michael Tabor, is a half-brother to two Grade 2 stakes winners – Harvest Moon, currently part of Callaghan’s stable, and Californiagoldrush, who was trained by Neil Drysdale.
Callaghan trained Qaraaba, Astronomer’s dam, who won the Grade 3 Robert Frankel Stakes at Santa Anita in 2012.
“That mare has been good to us,” Callaghan said. “They all seem to have ability.”
Astronomer will start from the rail and will be ridden by Umberto Rispoli.
“I think he’s ready to run,” Callaghan said. “I wouldn’t say he’s fully cranked, but he acts like a nice horse.
“The horses that have ran will be quicker early. I think he’ll have a ground-saving trip.”
Lookout Point and Il Capitano were second and third in a maiden special weight race at a mile on turf on June 18 at Santa Anita. Lookout Point, trained by Peter Miller, closed from fifth to finish 2 3/4 lengths behind the filly Miss Bellatrix.
Miller described Lookout Point as “a little green first time out. Hopefully, he improves with a race under his belt.”
Earlier on Saturday’s program, the expensive yearling purchases Grace Adler and Ice Maiden will have their first start in a maiden special weight race for 2-year-old fillies at five furlongs.
Grace Adler, purchased for $700,000 last year, drew the outside post in a field of six and will be ridden by leading rider Flavien Prat. Trained by Bob Baffert, Grace Adler, by Curlin, has worked quickly for her debut. She is out of the three-time stakes winners Our Khrysty.
Ice Maiden, by Pioneerof the Nile, was bought for $225,000. Trained by Mark Casse, Ice Maiden worked a half-mile from the gate in 48.40 seconds on July 21 at Del Mar.
Miller runs the first-time starters Sugar Sugar, by Twirling Candy, and Travel Smart, by Gormley. Miller said Thursday that the fillies “have been very straightforward” since they were purchased for $92,000 and $57,000 at a 2-year-olds in training sale in April.
“No shins, no sickness,” he said. “I expect them to run well.”
– additional reporting by Jay Privman