Astronomical 123, under jockey Martin Arriaga, won the $30,000 Independence Day Handicap at Los Alamitos Race Course on Sunday.

© William Zuazo

By H. David Smith, StallioneSearch

CYPRESS, CA–JULY 5, 2026—Astronomical 123 powered away from his rivals in the final strides to score a convincing 1¼-length victory in Sunday's $30,000 Independence Day Handicap at Los Alamitos Race Course, covering 300 yards in 15.281 while earning a 101 speed index.

The brown 4-year-old gelding earned $16,500 for the victory in the holiday feature, boosting his lifetime mark to $62,199 off four wins in 12 starts.

Breaking alertly from post eight after a poor start by the field, Astronomical 123 quickly took command under jockey Martin Arriaga and steadily widened his advantage to win going away for owner Jo Rae Burns and trainer Michael Casselman.

The winning connections of Astronomical 123 accept the Independence Day Stakes trophy.
© William Zuazo

Bred in California by Barry and/or Janice Sather, the gelding is by leading sire Flying Cowboy 123 out of Singles Cruise, by Favorite Cartel. A $122,000 purchase at the 2023 Heritage Place Yearling Sale, Astronomical 123 handled a 2 mph tailwind over a fast racing surface to record the fastest performance of the evening's stakes program.

Kid Cocinero rallied to finish second, lugging in during the final sixteenth before holding the runner-up spot by one-half length. The 4-year-old gelding by CRM Livewire out of Sweet First Leader, by Sweet First Down, races for Sandra Lee Ambus, was bred in Oklahoma by Jon and Brant Barley, and is trained by Angela Aquino. Justine Klaiber had the riding assignment aboard the runner-up, who earned $6,750.

Another half-length back came Epic Wind, who broke inward at the start but finished willingly to secure third and a $3,750 paycheck. The brown 4-year-old gelding, owned by Rosenthal Racing LLC, was ridden by Henry Lopez for trainer Paul Jones. Bred in California by Steve D. Burns, DVM, Epic Wind is by Favorite Cartel out of Remember Me Rose, by Corona Cartel.

The remaining order of finish was Up for Everything, Boardwalk, Winners Share, Racy Favorite, and Cyber Force. Cheater was scratched by the veterinarian.

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