Astra Returns Today

All Astra did while being trained by Simon Bray was win eight of 11 races, including the Grade I Gamely Breeders’ Cup and Beverly Hills handicaps at Hollywood Park, a Grade II and a Grade III, and $620,424.

Today, we’ll see how the 6-year-old Theatrical mare fares for a new trainer.

Astra, who is owned by the family of the late Allen Paulson, will make her first start for Laura De Seroux in the $150,000 Buena Vista Handicap at Santa Anita.

A winner in two previous starts at Santa Anita, Astra is the 9-5 morning-line favorite as she makes her first appearance since finishing last as the 7-10 favorite over a soggy turf course in the Beverly D. last Aug. 18 at Arlington Park.

In her career, Astra has shown the ability to run without the benefit of racing. She broke her maiden at first asking at Hialeah as a 3-year-old, and on April 14, she returned after not racing more for than nine months to win the Santa Barbara Handicap.

The one concern is that the Buena Vista is only a mile and Astra has never won a race at less than 11/16 miles. In fact, this will be her first start in a race shorter than 81/2 furlongs.

With Paga scratched Sunday morning, 10 are expected to challenge Astra. Her main rivals are Old Money, who won her U.S. debut for trainer Ron McAnally last month after winning five of 11 in Australia, and Veil Of Avalon.

Owned by John Newsome and trained by Christophe Clement, Veil Of Avalon has won seven of 18 in her career.

Race of the day: The fifth drew a full field of 12 going 11/8 miles on the turf. .

Who’s hot: Bruce Headley. The trainer moved into fourth place in the trainer’s standings with 11 winners entering Sunday’s program.

Who’s not: The field in today’s sixth at Golden Gate Fields. The 11 maiden fillies entered in the six-furlong event are winless in 81 races.

Exotically speaking: An exacta box in the fifth using Modest Man, Speedy Pick and Spacelink.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 4/117. Money: Previous day/meet total: $21.40/$717. Total money bet: $680.