Astronomer to test graded stakes

DEL MAR, Calif. – Astronomer is set for his graded stakes debut next month after winning for the first time in more than 21 months in a tough allowance race at a mile on turf at Del Mar on Saturday.

Astronomer ($45) raced close to a fast pace and won by a head over Goliad, finishing in 1:32.32. Ridden by Antonio Fresu, Astronomer earned a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 92.

The allowance race win was Astronomer’s second start of the year, preceded by a 10th-place finish in an allowance race at 1 1/8 miles on turf July 21.

Astronomer won the Qatar Golden Mile Stakes at 30-1 for 2-year-olds on turf at Del Mar in November 2021, on the undercard of a Breeders’ Cup program, but missed all of 2022 because of injury.

“All the patience paid off,” trainer Simon Callaghan said. “We had such aspirations for the 3-year-old series for turf horses in California. “It’s nice to get him back.”

Callaghan said Astronomer will be considered for the Grade 2 City of Hope Mile, a $200,000 race on turf at Santa Anita Sept. 30.

Astronomer, a 4-year-old gelding by the War Front stallion Air Force Blue, races for Alice Bamford and Michael Tabor. Bamford bred Astronomer, a half-brother to the graded stakes winners Californiagoldrush and Harvest Moon.

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