Astronaut Runs Out of This World in Del Mar Handicap
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Photo: Benoit Photo
Astronaut wins the Del Mar Handicap at Del Mar
John M. B. O'Connor's Astronaut remained a maiden after four races as late as this winter, and eligible for a first-level allowance this summer after eight starts. But now, after his ninth race, he's eligible for one of the richest turf races in the world—the $4 million Longines Breeders' Cup Turf (G1T) at Del Mar Nov. 6.
The 4-year-old Quality Road colt earned an automatic paid berth in the latter race with a 24-1 upset in the $302,500 Del Mar Handicap Presented by The Japan Racing Association (G2T) Aug. 21. The Del Mar Handicap served as a designated "Win and You're In" race as part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series.
Drawn toward the outside in post 10, Astronaut was wide for most of the race's three turns in the 1 3/8-mile turf contest, though he never had his momentum stalled at any point, unlike some key rivals.
Seventh early, as Acclimate shot to the lead with splits of :25.24, :49.25, 1:14.28, and 1:39.32, Astronaut kicked into gear with a four-wide advance leaving the final turn, and took the lead from Acclimate just inside the final sixteenth. He then repelled a late bid from Master Piece to prevail by a half-length.
The latter, making his first start in Southern California for trainer Michael McCarthy after initially racing in South America and later on the East Coast, rallied quickest down the stretch to settle for the runner-up position.
Pacesetting Acclimate lasted for third by a nose over favored United , who settled for fourth after he was stymied in traffic until the final furlong. Red King and Say the Word finished in a dead heat for fifth.
The winner covered the distance on firm turf in 2:15.97 under Victor Espinoza, returning $50 for a $2 win wager. The colt carried 117 pounds, eight less than high weight United.
"I know my odds didn't look it, but in my mind, I had a chance to win the race," Espinoza told TVG. "He was very impressive."
Saturday's race marked his sixth consecutive top-two finish since joining the stable of trainer John Shirreffs. The Del Mar Handicap was just his second stakes start following a second to front-running Acclimate in the San Juan Capistrano Stakes (G3T) at Santa Anita Park June 19, a race in which Espinoza dropped his riding crop in midstretch.
Congratulations @VictorEspinoza on winning the G2 Del Mar Handicap with #10 Astronaut!
Catch all the post-race reaction here as @britneyeurton spoke with the winning jockey in the @delmarracing Winner's Circle! pic.twitter.com/KMN32azkEF— TVG (@TVG) August 22, 2021
"I never had a chance to catch the one in the front, but today, I changed a little bit," Espinoza said. "I had to study. I mean, come on, for $300,000, I had to study a little bit harder."
Shirreffs won the Del Mar Handicap for the second time after first taking it with After Market in 2007. Espinoza notched his third win in the race after guiding Vagabond Shoes to victory in 2013 and Celtic New Year in 2011.
"That was amazing, wasn't it? I told Victor in the paddock, 'We're gonna need a little magic,'" Shirreffs told TVG. "But he got a lot of magic."
Bred in Kentucky by Anastasie Astrid Christiansen-Croy, Astronaut is the first stakes winner out of the Acatenango mare Armanda . The mare has produced 11 foals, eight starters, and six winners.
Her unraced foals include a 2-year-old filly by Overanalyze named Air Wing and a yearling colt by Always Dreaming named Augsburg. The dam also foaled a colt by The Factor this year, already named Atitlan .