REXDALE, ON — Two-time Gold Final winner Astronomical heads into Friday’s night’s Gold Elimination at Woodbine Racetrack on a four race winning spree. The only problem is that the three-year-old pacing colt’s last start was Sept. 17 and during the last five weeks he has been battling a stubborn illness.

“He had a bit of a lung infection, and he was a while getting over it,” says Dr. Ian Moore, who trains the colt for his partners William Shearer of Bedford, NS and R G McGroup Ltd. of Bathurst, NB. “He got it from my two-year-old Astreos colt (Impeccable), who picked it up in the detention barn for the Metro.”

After two courses of antibiotics Moore is hopeful that Astronomical has overcome the bug and will be ready for battle on Friday. The veterinarian, who divides his time between Campbellville, ON and Charlottetown, PEI, gave the Astreos colt a smart work-out on Monday morning and was pleased with the pacer’s effort and recovery.

“I trained him pretty good today (Monday) at Mohawk, early this morning, under the lights,” says the veteran horseman. “I think he’s over it anyway.”

Astronomical’s September win streak started in Gold Elimination action at Windsor Raceway on Aug. 28, where he cruised to a four and one-quarter length victory in 1:51.4. Back at Windsor Raceway one week later, the colt hit the wire three lengths ahead of his peers to claim his second straight Gold Final title.

Next stop for the talented young pacer was the Jug Preview at Scioto Downs and Astronomical delivered another effortless performance over the Columbus, OH oval, leading from start to finish in 1:51.3. In his last outing before the virus struck, Astronomical captured a Flamboro Breeders’ division with a 1:52.2 effort that saw him hit the wire four and a half lengths ahead of his peers. Then three days before a Sept. 24 three-year-old open contest at Mohawk Racetrack, the colt exhibited the first symptoms of the lung infection and Moore was forced to withdraw him from the race.

“It’s too bad, he was on a real roll,” says Moore. “But I really didn’t miss anything. I was just hoping I had enough time for this one.”

Astronomical and driver Mark MacDonald will begin defence of their Gold Final titles from Post 6 on Friday, facing off against a field of eight that includes former Gold Final winners Grand Bend Turbo and Noble Jake from Posts 1 and 2. A top five finish will be required from the division leader to advance to next Saturday’s $130,000 Gold Final, and Moore hopes Astronomical is up to the challenge.

�There’s this one, hopefully next week and then the (Super) Final,” he says. “But no matter what happens from here on, it’s been a wonderful summer.”

Post time at Woodbine Racetrack is 7:40 pm on Friday evening, and the three-year-old pacing colts will demonstrate their talents in Races 3 and 6. The top five finishers from each Gold Elimination will return to the Rexdale oval next Saturday, Oct. 29 for the last $130,000 Gold Final of their careers.

For complete entries please go to:

http://www.standardbredcanada.ca/entries/data/ewdbsfr.html