Astronomer resumes training

Astronomer, second in the Grade 2 City of Hope Mile and 12th in the Breeders’ Cup Mile at Santa Anita last fall, recently resumed training after a brief vacation.

Trainer Simon Callaghan said on Thursday that Astronomer is currently galloping with the intent of a comeback in the spring. Astronomer finished fifth of eight in the Grade 2 Seabiscuit Handicap at 1 1/16 miles on turf at Del Mar on Nov. 25 in his most recent start.

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“We gave him a little break at the farm after his last race,” Callaghan said. “He ran a bit flat. I ran him back too quick after the Breeders’ Cup.”

In the BC Mile on Nov. 4, Astronomer was beaten 5 3/4 lengths by Master of The Seas after racing as close as second by a length on the turn.

Astronomer, who races for Alice Bamford and Michael Tabor, has won 3 of 9 starts and earned $204,800 in a career disrupted by injury. Astronomer won the Qatar Golden Mile at Del Mar on Breeders’ Cup weekend in 2021, but did not start as a 3-year-old in 2022.

By the War Front stallion Air Force Blue, Astronomer had one win in five starts last year, in an allowance race at a mile on turf at Del Mar in August.

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