CAMPBELLVILLE, ON — Astronomical met up with Luc Ouellette for the first time at Mohawk Racetrack on Monday evening and the pairing proved to be stellar as the three-year-old pacing colt claimed his first Gold Final victory after two years of trying.
Relegated to the bridesmaid role on more occasions than trainer Dr. Ian Moore would care to recall, Astronomical finally landed the $130,000 victory off a front end steer by Ouellette.
Leaving from Post 1 the veteran reinsman settled Astronomical in second, allowing Putnam Romeo to assume early command of the race en route to a :26.1 opening quarter. Ouellette then sent Astronomical to the front just past the :54 half where the Astreos son fought off a challenge from Banner Yankee heading for the 1:22.2 three-quarters.
Turning for home Astronomical was one and a half lengths on top and he dug in down the stretch to hit the wire in 1:50.4, one length up on pocket sitter Putnam Romeo and one and three-quarter lengths ahead of fan favourite Noble Jake, owned by trainer Charalambos Christoforou of Campbellville and Banjo Farms of Toronto, who made a break in the early stages of the race.
Prince Edward Island resident Moore, who calls Campbellville home during the racing season, shares ownership on Astronomical with William Shearer of Bedford, NS and R G McGroup Ltd. of Bathurst, NB. The partners have banked $317,484 on the colt’s behalf through two season of racing.
At two Astronomical posted three wins and five seconds in 11 starts. This year the talented youngster boasts a record of five wins, two seconds and one third through 15 starts. In addition to Monday’s Gold Final triumph, the pacer has a Gold Elimination win to his credit this season as well as a trio of overnight successes. Monday’s 1:50.4 clocking matched the personal best effort he delivered over Mohawk’s seven-eighths mile surface on June 25.
Fans sent Astronomical off as their third choice on Monday and the colt delivered a $12.70 return on each $2 win wager, an $8.20 place pay out and $5.20 on each show ticket. Putnam Romeo was lightly rated by Mohawk fans and returned $16.60 to place and $8.00 to show while Noble Jake returned $2.80 to show. The exactor was worth $264.10 and the triactor rang up at $689.40.
Astronomical and his peers get a brief rest before resuming their Ontario Sires Stakes Gold Series rivalry at Windsor Raceway on Aug. 28. The provincial program is back at Mohawk Racetrack on Thursday with Gold Final action for the talented three-year-old trotting fillies.
For complete results please go to:
http://www.standardbredcanada.ca/results/data/rmohsmo.html#N7