ASTRONOMICAL 123 AND AGELESS CATTAIL COVE FACE OFF ON SATURDAY

Jo Rae Burns’ striking gray gelding, Astronomical 123, who was so sharp when finishing third against a field of eight in the Grade 1 Go Man Go Handicap, will look to showcase his quickness once again when he heads a quality group of 10 speedsters in the Azure Three Handicap at 220 yards this Saturday night at Los Alamitos.

Guided by Martin Arriaga for trainer Michael Casselman, the 4-year-old gelding broke second behind Mask Mandate in the Go Man Go in August and commanded the lead for the next 250 yards. Though overtaken in the final stages, the two-time local stakes winner held on gamely to finish third.

In his 2026 debut, Astronomical 123 showcased his rapid-fire speed when winning the $30,000 Independence Day Handicap Stakes at 300 yards on July 5. Those two strong efforts led to Astronomical 123 being offered an invitation to the Grade 1 Robert Boniface Los Alamitos Invitational Championship at 440 yards, but his connections opted to wait for the Azure Three to capitalize fully on his early gear.

Bred in California by Barry and Janice Sather, Astronomical 123 was purchased for $122,000 at the 2023 Heritage Place September Yearling Sale. Out of the prolific five-time stakes-winning mare Singles Cruise, the gelding has compiled four wins from 12 career starts, boosting his lifetime bankroll to $71,574. Astronomical 123 also captured the Town Policy Handicap last November.

Link Newcomb’s 9-year-old great Cattail Cove has enjoyed success in the Azure Three. He won this race in 2022 and finished second in 2025. He also competed in 2023 when posting a rare out-of-the-money finish. Now returning to the Azure Three for the fourth time, the venerable racehorse enters off three strong performances this year. He kicked off his 2026 campaign by winning the Grade 3 Kaweah Bar Handicap, followed by a second-place finish behind AQHA champion and millionaire Lethal Cowboy 123 in the Grade 1 Vessels Maturity, and a third-place finish in the Restricted Grade 1 Spencer L. Childers California Breeders Championship Handicap—a race he won in 2025.

Through 63 lifetime starts, the Steve Burns-bred gelding has repeatedly proven that class is permanent. Cattail Cove has captured nine career stakes while amassing lifetime earnings of $892,905. He has finished in the top three in 41 of his 63 outings, with his 2025 Spencer Childers victory and his runner-up effort in the 2019 Los Alamitos Two Million Futurity ranking among his defining moments.

Cattail Cove will now aim for his second Azure Three victory, as well as his 10th career stakes win at Los Alamitos.

The field will also feature Bogarts Lil Jessie, an earner of over $84,000 in his career, the graded stakes placed runner Invasive, Poderoso, a winner in both of his 2026 starts, the royally bred Epic Wind, plus La Solita, Deluxe Cartel, Turnpike Jammer, and Midnite Smokin.

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