Air Force Blue’s Astronomer Makes Easy Work of MSW

It was an impressive juvenile winner for Air Force Blue on Saturday when Astronomer (2c Air Force Blue x Qaraaba, by Shamardal) romped in a Golden Gate Maiden Special Weight.

Making his third start, Astronomer relished the one mile distance on the turf when taking the lead early on. Asked to rate by Evin Roman, the colt willingly complied and waited until it was his time to go.

Roman asked for him to extend as they straightened into the stretch and Astronomer shot off to win by 5 ¼ lengths with only two horses within nine lengths of him at the end.

Astronomer is trained by Simon Callaghan for Michael Tabor and owner-breeder Alice Bamford.

Out of Grade III winner Qaraaba, Astronomer is a half-brother to four other winners from four to race, led by Grade II winners Harvest Moon and Californiagoldrush.

His fourth dam is the great five-time Group I winner Salsabil, who produced three Group winners during her time as a broodmare.

Astronomer was one of two winners for Air Force Blue on Saturday with his 3-year-old stakes winning Fighting Force also visiting the winner’s circle at Gulfstream Park.

Astronomer is one of seven winners of eight juvenile races this year by Air Force Blue from only 21 runners.