Astrology Cruises in Grade III Iroquois for Stonestreet, Asmussen, Gomez

Oct 31, 2010 Gary Yunt

Stonestreet Stables and George Bolton’s favored Astrology swept past pace-setting Maybesomaybenot on the far turn and rolled to 2 3/4-length victory over Ribo Bobo to win the 29th running of the $122,300 Iroquois for 2-year-olds on Sunday afternoon at Churchill Downs.

Trained by Steve Asmussen and ridden by Garrett Gomez, Astrology stalked the pace set by Maybesomaybenot, ridden by Robby Albarado, who led the field of eight through fractions of :23.09 and :46.78 down the backstretch straightaway.

Approaching the far turn, Gomez sent Astrology after Maybesomaybenot and easily swept past on the outside and never was seriously challenged in the run through the stretch.

Astrology, a Kentucky-bred son of A.P. Indy out of the Quiet American mare Quiet Eclipse, covered the mile on a fast main track in 1:38.43. The victory, the second in four starts, was worth $73,553 and increased Astrology’s earnings to $120,553.

It was the second victory in the Iroquois for Gomez, who won the race in 2006 on Tiz Wonderful for Stonestreet. It was the second consecutive Iroquois win for Asmussen, who saddled Thiskyhasnolimit to victory last year.

Astrology returned mutuels of $4.60, $3.40 and $2.20. Ribo Bobo, ridden by Eduardo Nunez, paid $5.80 and $3.40 and finished 4 ¼ lengths in front of Maybesomaybenot, who paid $2.60 to show. It was a nose back to Halo’s Thunder, who was followed in order by Ronin Dax, War Whoop, Conservative Value and Storm in the Lake.

POST-RACE QUOTES

Garrett Gomez (jockey, Astrology, winner) “He (leader Maybesomaybenot) slowed down just before I got into him. I could see he was starting to slow so I had to go, he wants to wait.” 

Steve Asmussen (trainer, Astrology, winner): “He is a beautiful horse, tons of pedigree. This is a very important two year old win but he does childish things. It’s his first day here with a new paddock and he was a wound up, a lot more excitable than you would like. Garret (Gomez, jockey) said he carries you beautiful then when Robby’s horse (Maybesomaybenot) dropped the bridle he found himself in front.  He just needs to get to the next step. This will help. I think he’s a little too childish, but he’s got a ton of ability. He is very impressive to train, he’s got a beautiful big stride – but I think he can do better.”

Eduardo Nunez  (jockey, Ribo Bobo, runner-up): 'He ran a little green in the stretch.  I thought I had them at the quarter pole, but he kind of ran in and out in the stretch.  But he ran good.'

Robby Albarado (jockey, Maybesomaybenot, third)
'Mike (trainer Mike Maker) said they'd been trying to take him back in his previous races and it wasn't working for him.  So today he said to get aggressive with him leaving there.  He broke a bit tardy, but I jumped on him and got him in front.  He seemed content being on the lead like that.  Obviously Astrology is a nice horse.  He ran by me in the lane, but my horse hung in there tough.  I thought it was a good run throughout.'