View Full Version : Breeders Cup
Del Mar
May the best horse win
Horsephotos
http://www.drf.com/images/pleasantlyperfect_200_082304.jpg
Pleasantly Perfect wins the Pacific Classic on Saturday. A win in the BC Classic could secure top honors for him.
By JAY PRIVMAN
DEL MAR, Calif. - With victories in the last 10 months in the Breeders' Cup Classic, Dubai World Cup, and Pacific Classic, Pleasantly Perfect has gone halfway around the world and back to prove his merit. His victory Sunday at Del Mar secured his position as the most accomplished older horse in the country and puts him squarely in the thick of the battle for Horse of the Year, which he can secure with a repeat victory in the Breeders' Cup Classic on Oct. 30 at Lone Star Park.
That is likely to be his next, and perhaps final, start. Richard Mandella, who trains Pleasantly Perfect, on Monday morning said he intended to train Pleasantly Perfect straight into the Breeders' Cup, rather than prep in a race such as the Goodwood Breeders' Cup Handicap on Oct. 2 during Santa Anita's Oak Tree meeting.
A 6-year-old, Pleasantly Perfect used the Goodwood last year as his final start before the Classic, but his schedule was quite different in 2003. Pleasantly Perfect returned from a seven-month layoff to win last year's Goodwood. This year, he has raced twice since returning from Dubai.
"He needed the race last year. He had been off," Mandella said. "If it was in the spring of the year, I'd probably be looking for a spot to run. But this time of year, you're facing hot weather. You could knock a horse out. That would be the concern."
Pleasantly Perfect earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 111 for his victory in the Pacific Classic. It was an improved performance over the Aug. 1 San Diego Handicap, in which Pleasantly Perfect finished third following a four-month absence. Mandella says he believes Pleasantly Perfect is capable of better. But win or lose come Oct. 30, Mandella says Pleasantly Perfect has accomplished enough to be Horse of the Year.
"I think so, but I'm prejudiced," Mandella said. "I kind of hate answering a question like that, but if that costs him Horse of the Year, then I'll say it. For a horse to do what he's done, it takes a lot of horse. I wouldn't take anything away from Smarty Jones, but this horse won the Breeders' Cup Classic, had a break, won in Dubai, then had a break and came back and won this."
For Mandella, the Pacific Classic was his first victory of the meet. But he said the relief of that personal accomplishment paled in comparison to the stress he felt training the best horse in the world.
"I had no fun, until it was over. It's a big responsibility," Mandella said. "To get him up to be the horse of the world, and then to [mess] that up, would be disgusting in my mind. I take responsibility that I went at it wrong in the San Diego and he got beat. Most wouldn't come around in three weeks, but he's got a good enough mind that you can do it."
Perfect Drift, who finished one length behind Pleasantly Perfect in second, will head back to Kentucky to prepare for the fall with trainer Murray Johnson. Perfect Drift finished sixth in last year's Breeders' Cup Classic after encountering severe traffic trouble heading into the first turn.
Johnson was gratified Perfect Drift ran so well only 14 days after competing in the Whitney Handicap at Saratoga, but the loss meant Johnson is still winless for the year.
"Everything went fine. We just got outrun by a better horse. Last year we beat the Horse of the Year," Johnson said, referring to Mineshaft. "Maybe we just lost to the Horse of the Year.
"I had a great week here," he said. "We made enough to keep the groceries in the cupboard. When I do get that winner, I will be the leading trainer in earnings per win - if I get the win."
There were two other significant races for older horses run over the weekend. On Saturday, Ghostzapper successfully stretched out around two turns and, benefiting from a sloppy track he obviously craved, got a monstrous Beyer Speed Figure of 128 in the Iselin Handicap at Monmouth Park. And on Sunday, Evening Attire received a Beyer figure of 114 for his victory over Funny Cide in the Saratoga Breeders' Cup Handicap.
Bobby Frankel, the trainer of Ghostzapper, said races under consideration for Ghostzapper include the Woodward Handicap at Belmont Park on Sept. 11, and the Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont on Oct. 2.
"Maybe I could wait for the Jockey Club Gold Cup," Frankel said. "Even though he didn't have to run that hard, you never know how much it takes out of them."
If Ghostzapper waits until the Jockey Club Gold Cup, Frankel said he would run Peace Rules in the Woodward.
Pat Kelly, who trains Evening Attire, said Sunday's victory earned Evening Attire another try against the division's elite.
"I was actually considering second-tier stuff for him before Sunday, because he had slowed down a little bit until yesterday," Kelly said.
Kelly said Evening Attire would likely run next in the Jockey Club Gold Cup or the Oct. 8 Meadowlands Cup. He is now 5 for 8 at Saratoga.
Bowman's Band, who was third at Saratoga, is being pointed to the Meadowlands Cup, which he won last year.
Barclay Tagg, the trainer of second-place finisher Funny Cide, said he had yet to decide where Funny Cide would race next.
- additional reporting by David Grening and Karen M. Johnson
http://www.drf.com/news/article/58476.html
Date: 8/21/04
Older horses were the order of the day on Sunday, with the $250,000 Saratoga Breeders' Cup Handicap at Saratoga and the $1 million Pacific Classic at Del Mar. Each event was contested at the 1 1/4 mile distance, the same as the Breeders' Cup Classic in October, making these very important races on the road to Lone Star Park.
More...
http://www.horse-races.net/library/sbc04-results.htm
Seabiscuit
24-08-2004, 18:27
Is Ghostzapper entered for the Breeders Cup Classic? I saw his win at Monmouth Park on August 21st. It was a wet track but at face value this is the fastest horse in the world. He is the one I want to be on in the Breeders Cup at this stage. At Monmouth he chased a very fast early speed and then went whoosh!!!! in the straight putting about 5 lengths on the second fav in about 100 yards. He won by about 10 lengths with a further 20 or so lengths back to 3rd and 4th.
Forget Northerly, Lonners, Silent Witness. Ghostzapper is the best in the world and will destroy all those Europeans and Pleasantly Perfect if he can handle a dry track. At this stage I would be happy to gamble on this beast on wet or dry.
Ghostzapper eh? Ok Ill cop the tip on this one...what price is he?
Ghostzapper Blows Away Rivals in Iselin
Date Posted: 8/21/2004 6:40:07 PM
Last Updated: 8/22/2004 5:51:55 PM
He went by them so fast they might have thought he was a ghost. Ghostzapper sat off the pace and then blew by to win the Iselin Breeders' Cup Handicap at Monmouth Saturday by 10 3/4 lengths.
Preidentialaffair made the lead in the Iselin, which had a field reduced to four with three scratches because of the off track condition. Javier Castellano simply bided his time and then flew to the lead in the stretch and drew off for the easy win.
Ghostzapper is a homebred racing for Frank Stronach's Adena Springs. He is a Kentucky-bred son of Awesome Again out of the Relaunch mare Baby Zip.
He covered the nine furlongs in 1:47.66.
The heavy favorite, Ghostzapper paid $2.80 and $2.10 and Presidentialaffair returned $3.10. There was no show wagering because scratches reduced the field to four. Zoffinger finished far back in back in third, beating only Private Lap.
Castellano kept Ghostzapper on the outside all the way
`I had plenty of horse,'' he said. ``He did it all pretty easy today and came home nicely.''
The win was the sixth in eight starts for Ghostzapper, a son of Awesome Again trained by Bobby Frankel. He has earned $616,120 for the Stronach Stables.
Ghostzapper, the Iselin highweight at 120 pounds, has already demonstrated that he can run very fast at shorter distances.
He posted sensational Beyer Figures in winning his last two races, both at Belmont Park. Ghostzapper got a 116 for his last-to-first sweep to victory in the Grade 1 Vosburgh at 6 1/2 furlongs last fall. He earned a career-best 120 going seven furlongs to win the Grade 2 Tom Fool Handicap on July 4.
http://news.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=23964
:eek:
Seabiscuit
24-08-2004, 20:10
It seems Ghostzapper is entered for the Breeders Cup and this will be his main goal. But on BF there is only $12 available at odds of $6. Best to wait and see if more money is put up for him.
Other option is to lay Pleasantly Perfect - there is more money available on him. But I have not seen his run from the weekend yet.
Some money at 9-1 today on Betfair for Ghostzapper...people are asking 17's.
My horse Lion Heart from last years KD is 19's, Azeri ( USA wonder mare) at 30's.
They also have Smarty Jones listed as an entry but he has been retired to Three Chimneys.
Pleasantly Perfect is 3-1
Birdstone is at 18's...isnt he the horse that beat Smarty Jones at his last start in the Belmont?
Seabiscuit
01-09-2004, 08:54
Lion Heart pulled up injured after racing in the Travers on the weekend. His Breeders Cup campaign is over as well as his career. His rich breeder owners are going to send him to stud I think.
Seabiscuit
01-09-2004, 09:00
Yes Birdstone did beat the overrated Smarty Jones. He also won the Travers on Saturday beating The Cliffs Edge at Saratoga.
Seabiscuit
01-09-2004, 09:04
Birdstone could be in calculations now. But Ghostzapper at $10.5 or $11 to back does look the best gamble on BF prepost markets. Trainer did say that the Breeders Cup Classic would be his main goal so you know he will be in the race barring injury (which does seem a real risk these days).
Look out Dallas Bago is on his way!
I am really looking forward to seeing BAGO hit a career peak in the BCC.
It will be interesting to examine the current European / US Dirt Stamina divide.
Bago will have no problems transferring to the dirt. :p
Handy Harry
10-09-2004, 13:21
Looking so good it's scary
"Forget Northerly, Lonners, Silent Witness. Ghostzapper is the best in the world and will destroy all those Europeans and Pleasantly Perfect if he can handle a dry track. At this stage I would be happy to gamble on this beast on wet or dry."
Seabiscuit
__________________
Horsephotos
http://www.drf.com/images/ghostzapper_200_090904.jpg
Ghostzapper, here winning the Tom Fool, comes off a victory in the Iselin and a Beyer Speed Figure of 128.
By DAVID GRENING
BELMONT, N.Y. - When Medaglia d'Oro was retired in June, trainer Bobby Frankel hoped Peace Rules would be the one to take his place in the handicap division. As it turned out, Frankel had another replacement waiting in the wings.
When Ghostzapper successfully stretched out to nine furlongs in last month's Philip Iselin Handicap at Monmouth Park, it opened up a new world for the talented colt, who previously had not raced beyond seven furlongs. Saturday, Ghostzapper can earn his way to the $4 million Breeders' Cup Classic with another solid performance, in the Grade 1, $500,000 Woodward Stakes at Belmont Park. Ghostzapper, a 4-year-old son of Awesome Again, is 3 for 3 at Belmont.
The Woodward will go as the last of 10 races on a Belmont card that includes the Grade 1 Gazelle for 3-year-old fillies and the Grade 1 Man o' War for male turf marathoners. The Man o' War and Woodward will be shown live on Television Games Network as well as regional Fox Sports Net stations from 5-6 p.m. Eastern.
Quarter cracks and ankle issues have limited Ghostzapper to just two performances this year, but each one was breathtaking. In July, off a 281-day layoff, Ghostzapper romped to a 4 1/4-length victory in the Grade 2 Tom Fool Handicap. He ran just .17 seconds off the track and stakes record, set by Left Bank.
Unhappy with the weight assigned Ghostzapper in the Alfred G. Vanderbilt, Frankel shipped Ghostzapper to Monmouth Park, where he romped to a 10 3/4-length victory in the Iselin. He earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 128 - the highest figure since Daily Racing Form began publishing them in 1992.
Frankel said other handicapping figures he uses didn't have Ghostzapper's Iselin any faster than the Tom Fool or last September's Vosburgh. "As fast as he's run, this is not a top for him," Frankel said. "He did that number twice before. It was the same for Midas Eyes."
Frankel was referring to Midas Eyes winning the Grade 1 Forego 10 days after running one of his best speed figures 10 days earlier in an allowance race.
Though Frankel said he doesn't fear a regression in the Woodward, he elected to run Ghostzapper here rather than the Jockey Club Gold Cup on Oct. 2 so the horse would have more time before the Classic on Oct. 30.
"I'd rather give him the time between this one and the big race," Frankel said. "He's acting well and doing very well and traveling well. He breezed beautifully the other morning. You still want to win these races. You can't worry about the Breeders' Cup. Going to Texas, you're liable to draw the 14-hole there."
Ghostzapper will break from post 4 under Javier Castellano in the eight-horse Woodward. All runners will carry 126 pounds.
In the Iselin, Ghostzapper stalked Presidentialaffair in the Iselin, who is one of the main speed horses in the field along wiht Saint Liam. Saint Liam has not been out since April 3, when he finished third behind Peace Rules in the Oaklawn Handicap.
Trainer Richard Dutrow Jr. said Saint Liam has been suffering from tender feet since then, but that "he's doing really good right now. I think he's ready to run his 'A' race."
Midway Road, another front-running type, could work out a stalking strip under Robby Albarado. He has shown an affinity for an off track.
Trainer Todd Pletcher hopes a return to Belmont Park can get Newfoundland over the hump in a Grade 1 race. In July, Newfoundland finished second, beaten a neck by Peace Rules in the Suburban. He was seventh in the Grade 1 Whitney at Saratoga on Aug. 7.
"No question about, it he loves Belmont," said Pletcher, who also entered Colita in the Woodward. "He might not love Ghostzapper, but he loves Belmont."
Bowman's Band, whose best race this year came when he ran second in the Grade 1 Metropolitan Handicap here, and Seek Gold, an allowance winner last out, complete the field.
The field
Woodward
Purse: $500,000; 1 1/8 miles; Grade 1
PP HORSE JOCKEY WT. ODDS
1 Colita R. Migliore 126 15-1
2 Saint Liam E. Prado 126 5-1
3 Midway Road R. Albarado 126 4-1
4 Ghostzapper J. Castellano 126 4-5
5 Newfoundland J. Velazquez 126 12-1
6 Seek Gold C. Velasquez 126 30-1
7 Bowman's Band R. Dominguez 126 8-1
8 Presidentialaffair P. Fragoso 126 12-1
* Odds by Brian Pochman
drf.com
Seabiscuit
11-09-2004, 19:30
I see the Zapper has been backed for the Breeders Cup Classic. Was $10.50 or $11 even after his last win but has since traded at $7 and even some at $6.
Betfair are fielding on this Belmont program as they do on all quality racing around the world.
I must say the reports of injuries are a concern as he might break down before getting to the world's greatest race.
What reports are those Seabikkies? You must mean those rumours you are trying to spread worldwide?
Seabiscuit
12-09-2004, 07:42
"Quarter cracks and ankle issues have limited Ghostzapper to just two performances this year".
I was referring to the above story which indicates this horse Ghostzapper is not 100% sound.
He only won the Woodward by a neck over Saint Liam but both horses seem to have run well and there were big gaps between horses at the end.
There seems to be a trend to describe horses fetlocks as ankles. In my day we would have got a slap around the ears if we made such a blunder.
A change in shoes & some good hoof oil will help with the quarter cracks.
Seabiscuit
12-09-2004, 12:32
From DRF http://www.drf.com/news/article/59062.html
Belmont Park
Ghostzapper survives dogfight
By DAVID GRENING
ELMONT, N.Y. - Ghostzapper may have shown as much winning Saturday's Grade 1, $500,000 Woodward by a neck than he did winning previous stakes by open lengths.
Facing a stern challenge from Saint Liam from the quarter pole to the wire, Ghostzapper prevailed to win the Woodward and put himself in contention for Horse of the Year honors. It was 9 1/4 lengths back to Bowman's Band in third.
Ghostzapper is now 3 for 3 this year with victories in the Tom Fool, Iselin Handicap, and Woodward. He would have to win a race like the Breeders' Cup Classic on Oct. 30 at Lone Star Park to have a shot at Horse of the Year. But the adversity he overcame in the Woodward only adds to his credentials.
Ghostzapper, under Javier Castellano, was in the hunt from the outset, racing between Presidentialaffair and Saint Liam through an opening quarter in 23.66 seconds and a half-mile run in 45.70.
Around the far turn, Ghostzapper and Saint Liam put away Presidentialaffair and were well clear of the rest of the field. At the three-eighths pole, it looked like Ghostzapper was going to run past Saint Liam, but the latter was relentless.
Coming into the stretch, Saint Liam began to bear out under Edgar Prado, forcing Ghostzapper well out into the middle of the track. Saint Liam
continued to fight on, however, maintaining a head advantage at the eighth pole. He continued to bear out, though, and bumped with Ghostzapper.
Ghostzapper persevered and surged to the front nearing the wire. Ghostzapper, who returned $2.80 as the 2-5 favorite, covered the 1 1/8-miles in 1:46.38. Forego owns the stakes record of 1:45.80.
Ghostzapper, owned by Frank Stronach, had won his previous three graded stakes by an average of seven lengths. Even Frankel wasn't sure how he would react when Ghostzapper got into a dogfight.
"You wonder because he's always won his races easy, but he fought on today, he ran a great race," Frankel said.
Prado said he had to take a hold of Saint Liam to try and stop him from bearing out, "and I think that cost me the race," Prado said.
Ghostzapper is now 4 for 4 at Belmont Park, which may prompt Frankel to run him back in the $1 million Jockey Club Gold Cup here on Oct. 2.
Seabiscuit
12-09-2004, 12:35
Ghostzapper only beat Saint Liam by a neck but the 3rd horse was beaten 9 lengths and the 4th horse by 16 lengths. So possibly Saint Liam is a good horse too.
I think more than possibly.
Good tipping there anyway...breeders cup here we come!
Seabiscuit
13-09-2004, 19:59
This Magistretti has put in an interesting bid for the Breeders Cup turf. A bit one dimensional it seems so will probably always need his stars to be in alignment. But he had an extremely powerful finish in this race that indicates he could win a big race like the BC Turf. Epalo (2nd) goes OK too.
Magistretti shows he's the man
http://www.drf.com/news/article/59061.html
By KAREN M. JOHNSON
ELMONT, N.Y. - An extra furlong made all the difference for Magistretti, the 1 1/4-length winner of Saturday's Grade 1, $500,000 Man o' War at Belmont Park.
Epalo, the 2-1 favorite, finished second after owning the lead up until the final yards. It was another two lengths back in third to King's Drama, who was coupled in the wagering with Epalo as a Gary Tanaka-owned entry.
Magistretti made a bold move under Edgar Prado to wear down Epalo with a sixteenth of a mile remaining in the 1 3/8-mile turf race.
Andrasch Starke, Epalo's rider, said the distance beat his horse, who controlled the pace through fractions of 24.53 seconds, 50.05, 1:14.43, 1:38.17, and 2:02.14 over a yielding course. Surprisingly, Balto Star, a true speed horse, settled behind Epalo and King's Drama in the early going.
Epalo had a three-length lead as he sailed past the eighth pole on his way to what looked like a win. "I'm just disappointed because we knew the distance was too far," Starke said.
For Magistretti, who was closing with energy at the finish of the 1 1/4-mile Arlington Million last month, the Man o' War's added distance was a bonus. Magistretti finished third in the Million, but was moved up to second when Powerscourt was disqualified for interference.
In the Man o' War, Magistretti was last after a mile. He saved ground around the far turn and was maneuvered to the outside by Prado for the stretch run.
"He seems to have a great kick," said Magistretti's trainer, Patrick Biancone. "He was in a bit of trouble at the quarter pole."
Magistretti returned $8.30. He covered the distance in 2:14.65, the fastest running of the Man o' War since 1998 when Daylami stopped the clock in 2:13.
Better Talk Now, Request for Parole, Ballingarry, Balto Star, and Greek Sun completed the order of finish.
Biancone took over the training of Magistretti, who is owned by Michael Tabor, after the Million. Neville Callaghan previously trained the 4-year-old in England.
"[Callaghan] did a great job with this horse. Congratulations to him," Biancone said.
Tabor said the fall stakes schedule for turf horses in this country appealed to him.
"We thought there was a few nice races here for him with obviously the Breeders' Cup [Turf] being one of them. I thought his time was to come here now," Tabor said.
Biancone said the most likely spot for Magistretti's next start is the Grade 1 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational at Belmont on Oct. 2.
Seabiscuit
13-09-2004, 20:03
Stellar Jayne will probably run in the BC Distaff. This race was a bit inconclusive. I couldn't back her on this run but would not throw her out entirely either.
http://www.drf.com/news/article/59060.html
Stellar Jayne refuses to lose Gazelle
By DAVID GRENING
ELMONT, N.Y. - The connections of Stellar Jayne knew she had talent. On Saturday, they learned their 3-year-old filly has guts as well.
After surrendering the lead to Daydreaming in upper stretch, Stellar Jayne battled back along the inside under Robby Albarado and drew away from that rival late to post a one-length victory in the $250,000 Gazelle Handicap before 10,251 at Belmont Park. It was 1 3/4 lengths back to He Loves Me, who nosed out Shadow Cast for third.
It was the second Grade 1 victory of the year for Stellar Jayne, who remained in contention for divisional honors along with Ashado and Society Selection. Stellar Jayne, a daughter of Wild Rush, also won the Mother Goose here in June.
Stellar Jayne was able to maintain a clear lead through soft fractions of 24.11 and 48.11 seconds. Approaching the three-sixteenths pole, Daydreaming, under John Velazquez, stuck a head in front. But Stellar Jayne immediately fought back, retaking the lead inside the eighth pole before edging away late. Stellar Jayne, trained by D. Wayne Lukas, covered the 1 1/8 miles in 1:48.25 over a fast track. She returned $3 as the 1-2 favorite.
"She lacks some aggression to her, for whatever reason," Albarado said. "She likes to be abused on. I didn't have to whip her much, two times left-handed, then I hit her right-handed, and she went on about her business. She lets them run to her, and she wants to fight the last eighth of a mile."
Peter Hutton, assistant to Lukas, said he was a bit concerned that Stellar Jayne could be out-sprinted in the stretch by Daydreaming.
"She's got stamina, but this is kind of the first time that she showed a true-grit sprint to the wire," Hutton said. "They're the ones you like to have. When they look beat they're not beat."
Hutton said Stellar Jayne is scheduled to ship to Lukas's Churchill Downs barn on Thursday, and she may simply train up to the Breeders' Cup Distaff at Lone Star on Oct. 30.
The Gazelle field scratched down to six as Capeside Lady, Mambo Bell, and Magical Illusion, second choice on the morning line, were withdrawn. Trainer James Bond said Magical Illusion popped a piece of gravel out of a hind foot on Friday.
Seabiscuit
13-09-2004, 20:07
Both Ghostzapper and Saint Liam ran amazingly quickly to the top of the stretch. They ran an extremely quick middle portion of the race and everyone was exhausted by the time they reached the stretch. The other horses were too far behind and made up no ground in the stretch.
Seabiscuit
15-09-2004, 06:45
Both Ghostzapper and Saint Liam will have their next runs in the BC Classic (although Saint Liam might have trouble making the field). Story from DRF
http://www.drf.com/news/article/59081.html
BC Classic is next for Ghostzapper
By DAVID GRENING
ELMONT, N.Y. - Despite an arduous stretch drive, which featured a few body bumps, both Ghostzapper and Saint Liam have come out of Saturday's stirring Woodward Stakes in good shape and will now be pointed to the $4 million Breeders' Cup Classic at Lone Star Park on Oct. 30.
Neither horse will run before then, the connections of both confirmed on Monday. While Ghostzapper - whose neck victory over Saint Liam kept him unbeaten in three starts this year - will definitely make the field, Saint Liam could be in need of help should the Classic oversubscribe at pre-entry time, Oct. 18.
Fourteen horses are permitted in the body of the field. The top seven get in automatically on points accrued in graded stakes races. A Breeders' Cup panel, which consists of racing secretaries and directors from North America and Europe, select the next seven. The rest are placed on an also-eligible list until entries are taken on Oct. 27.
Saint Liam, trained by Richard Dutrow Jr., has yet to win a stakes race this year, but was beaten a head by Peace Rules in the Grade 2 New Orleans Handicap and a neck by Ghostzapper in the Woodward. Saint Liam is unlikely to make the Classic field based on points.
Dutrow would like to run Saint Liam in the Classic because, he said Monday, "I think he belongs with those kind."
Though Saint Liam had not run since April 3, Dutrow would not blame the colt's bearing out in the stretch on getting tired or on prior foot problems that forced him to miss the last five months.
"I don't think it's got anything to do with him getting tired because he started getting out leaving the gate," Dutrow said. "It's something me and him have got to figure out before his next race. I don't know what it is."
Meanwhile, Frankel said Ghostzapper "seems fine" following his Woodward victory, his seventh win from nine career starts. Though Ghostzapper's Beyer Speed Figure of 114 for the Woodward was 14 points below the 128 he earned for his Iselin score, Frankel felt Ghostzapper ran an equally impressive race. His final time of 1:46.38 was among the top five fastest Woodwards ever run.
"If the other horse is not in the race, he wins by 10 lengths," Frankel said. "Maybe Saint Liam ran the race of his life."
Ghostzapper is a son of Awesome Again, who in 1998 won the Breeders' Cup Classic to complete a perfect 6-for-6 campaign. Still, the Eclipse Award for handicap horse and Horse of the Year went to Skip Away.
Frankel said he believes if Ghostzapper wins the Classic, he'll earn the divisional championship.
"Without a doubt," Frankel said. "Any horse that's got good form going into the Breeders Cup, if they win the Breeders' Cup they get the championship. They couldn't give it Pleasantly Perfect [last year] because he only ran one good race."
"If the other horse is not in the race, he wins by 10 lengths," Frankel said. "Maybe Saint Liam ran the race of his life."
Bingo.
By KAREN M. JOHNSON
BELMONT, N.Y. - If Azeri and Adoration start in the $2 million Breeders' Cup Distaff at Lone Star Park on Oct. 30, it will be the first time two returning winners run in the race.
Before any Breeders' Cup match-up, Azeri, who won the 2002 Distaff, and Adoration, who won the race last year, will meet in Keeneland's Grade 1, $500,000 Spinster on Oct. 10.
The Azeri camp hasn't committed to running her in the 1 1/8-mile Distaff and she may run against males in the $4 million Breeders' Cup Classic. Michael Paulson, Azeri's owner, said Azeri would most likely be cross-entered in the Distaff and Classic when pre-entries close Oct. 18.
"The Classic is an option for a horse of her caliber," Paulson said Tuesday. "We haven't made any definite plans and will take it week by week, based on how the divisions are lining up. Our goal is to win a Breeders' Cup race, whether it's the Classic or Distaff."
On Monday at Churchill Downs, Azeri worked five furlongs in 59.40 seconds, the fastest of 34 works at the distance. It was her second work since finishing second in the Personal Ensign at Saratoga last month.
Wayne Lukas, Azeri's trainer, is pointing Grade 1 winner Stellar Jayne to the Distaff and could possibly use the Grade 3, $400,000 Indiana Breeders' Cup Oaks at Hoosier Park on Oct. 1 as a prep.
"She may or may not run before the Breeders' Cup, but from the Gazelle on Sept. 11 it's 49 days , and that might be a stretch in light of the competition she'll face in the Distaff," said Lukas, who has won a record four Distaffs. "The race at Hoosier is the only one we're seriously looking at because it's the chance to run for $400,000 against straight 3-year-olds."
Last year, Adoration used the 1 1/16-mile Lady's Secret Breeders' Cup at Santa Anita as a prep for the Distaff. This year, her trainer, David Hofmans, has elected to ship Adoration to Kentucky from California for the 1 1/8-mile Spinster.
"Things were a little different last year because she was off [seven] months and the Lady's Secret was her second race back," Hofmans said. "I didn't want to cut her back in distance this year in the Lady's Secret after running a mile and an eighth in Chicago."
After her 11 1/4-length romp in last Sunday's Ruffian Handicap, Sightseek will be pointed to the Grade 1, $750,000 Beldame on Oct. 9, which could be the final start of her career. Bobby Frankel, Sightseek's trainer, said he won't make a decision on the Distaff until after the Beldame.
"This is definitely her last year, and you want her to go out on a good note," Frankel said.
The Beldame is also expected to attract Personal Ensign winner Storm Flag Flying and Alabama winner Society Selection, who worked a bullet six furlongs in 1:14.62 at Belmont on Wednesday.
Trainer Todd Pletcher will run Ashado in the Grade 2 Cotillion at Philadelphia Park on Oct. 2 with an eye on the Distaff.
[B]Distaff Contenders
3-year-olds & up, fillies & mares, 1 1/8 miles. Purse: $2 million.
RANK HORSE TRAINER ODDS
1 Sightseek R. Frankel 7-2
In order to be divisional champ, she must beat Azeri, and in this race
2 Azeri D. W. Lukas 3-1
Vulnerable if denied control of the pace; will also pre-enter the Classic
3 Storm Flag Flying C. McGaughey 6-1
Not sure she can beat the top two without some outside assistance
4 Island Fashion M. Polanco 10-1
Strong early-season form; question if she can be ready in time to run
5 Adoration D. Hofmans 12-1
Won this race last year at 40-1, and won't be close to that this time
6 Society Selection H. A. Jerkens 12-1
Was it Lasix or Saratoga that triggered her stunning recent success?
7 Ashado T. Pletcher 10-1
May need a perfect set up to get this trip against this type of female
8 Elloluv C. Dollase 20-1
Second in this race last year, and back on her game with blinkers on
9 Stellar Jayne D. W. Lukas 20-1
Although a cut below, she just runs one solid race after another
10 Summer Wind Dancer J. Mullins 30-1
Her last two wins were the biggest of her career, by a long way
Dynever's year, so far a disappointment, ain't over yet
By JAY PRIVMAN
The way Dynever won the San Bernardino Handicap to start his 2004 campaign was indicative of a horse who was going to be among the leaders of his division this year. He had won the Lone Star Derby in 2003, finished that year with a third-place effort in the Breeders' Cup Classic, then romped to an easy victory in the San Bernardino, while earning a Beyer Speed Figure of 113.
He has not won since.
In three subsequent starts, the best Dynever could do was finish second in the Brooklyn Handicap. Twice he has finished out of the money. Illness sent him to the sidelines for the past three months.
All, however, might not be lost. There is still time for Dynever to return to the high level at which he has flirted during his career. According to his trainer, Christophe Clement, Dynever has trained sharply for his return to the races, which will occur in Friday night's Grade 2, $500,000 Meadowlands Breeders' Cup Stakes. A victory there would make Dynever an intriguing play in the Breeders' Cup Classic on Oct. 30, as he could be the only horse in the Classic with a prior race over the Lone Star track.
"Let's see how he does Friday," Clement said from his barn at Belmont Park. "I hope he will be competitive. He has to earn his way to the Breeders' Cup. I don't think he's at his peak, but he's coming close to his peak. He looks well. He's dappled. He's a fresh horse. That might not be a bad thing."
Dynever suffered from tender feet much of last year, and that again plagued him heading into this year's Pimlico Special, in which he was a well-beaten fifth. "He was sore after the race, and he shed a frog," Clement said.
The foot problems cleared up, enabling Dynever to run a sharp second in the Brooklyn Handicap, but he took ill after finishing sixth in the Suburban Handicap on July 3. He has not raced since.
"He got pretty sick," Clement said. "The problem was, we never could find out what it was. We believe it was some type of bacteria. We thought it was salmonella, but it was not."
Asked if the year with Dynever had been a disappointment, Clement said, "I will let you know on December 31."
Seven others were entered on Wednesday in the Meadowlands Cup, including front-running Balto Star, but he is more likely to head to the Breeders' Cup Turf than the Classic.
Bago earned his way to the Classic with a late-running victory in last Sunday's Arc de Triomphe in France. If he runs in the Classic, it will be his first start on dirt.
The top two finishers in the Jockey Club Gold Cup - Funny Cide and Newfoundland * are headed to the Classic, but third-place finisher The Cliff's Edge suffered a career-ending injury in the race. Evening Attire also was removed from consideration for the Classic after finishing fourth in the Jockey Club Gold Cup, but fifth-place finisher Bowman's Band is expected to try again in the Classic.
- additional reporting by David Grening
drf.com
Classic Contenders
3-year-olds & up, 1 1/4 miles. Purse: $4 million.
RANK HORSE TRAINER ODDS
1 Ghostzapper R. Frankel 4-1
Beat Newfoundland, a close second in Gold Cup, by 18 in Woodward
2 Pleasantly Perfect R. Mandella 7-2
Working purposefully, but the 69-day layoff gives cause for pause
3 Saint Liam R. Dutrow Jr. 15-1
Gave Ghostzapper quite a battle in Woodward; has improved tons
4 Bago J. Pease 8-1
It's sporting for Arc winner to cut back in distance, and switch to dirt
5 Roses in May D. Romans 10-1
Regressed fig-wise in Ky. Cup; must bounce back big to contend
6 Birdstone N. Zito 6-1
Is best when fresh, but he will be coming off a 63-day layoff
7 Dynever C. Clement 15-1
Returns in Friday's Meadowlands Cup; won Lone Star Derby last year
8 Funny Cide B. Tagg 10-1
There's no question, he is game; the issue is, is he good enough?
9 Newfoundland T. Pletcher 20-1
He illustrates the gap between the first and second tier older horses
10 Perfect Drift M. Johnson 30-1
After Hawtthorne, it may be time to wonder if he will ever win again
- The top 10 contenders for each of the eight Breeders' Cup races are ranked by Mike Watchmaker, who set the odds and wrote the comments. Actual Breeders' Cup fields will have up to 14 starters.
The undoubted on-track highlight for Tuesday morning's early risers came with the appearance of Japanese Breeders' Cup Classic challenger Personal Rush.
Wearing a bright pink hood with his work rider attired in matching colours, the three-year-old jogged around the track before being put through the stalls and later walked around the paddock.
If the idea was to prepare him for some of the big-race atmosphere then it was a worthwhile exercise as Personal Rush sweated up badly when on the track and seemed less than impressed by having to walk through the tunnel to the paddock that passes underneath the grandstand.
If connections were concerned, however, then it was not showing.
Spokesman Taki Maruyama, the bloodstock agent who bought the horse in the United States, said on Tuesday: "We have come here because we want to take on the best.
"He is eating up well and taking everything in his stride. He worked on Sunday at Hollywood Park and did a 50.4 for half a mile before he travelled here and he will probably breeze over five furlongs tomorrow.
"When I bought him I knew that he would improve a lot with time and from his form you can see that he is getting better with each race.
"We haven't come here thinking that we are going to lose."
Frankie Dettori, due to arrive later on Tuesday, has been handed the mount on the 14-1 chance and could be in the saddle when he works on Wednesday.
Courtesy www.racingpost.co.uk
An afternoon for champions
By JAY PRIVMAN
http://www.drf.com/images/peb_200_102804.jpg
GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas - Nick Zito knows what's on the line. Everything.
Horse of the Year. Champion 3-year-old colt. Life as we know it. Well, at least two of those three.
Much hangs in the balance in the $4 million Classic, the richest and final Breeders' Cup race to be run Saturday at Lone Star Park. As many as six horses - Birdstone, Funny Cide, Ghostzapper, Pleasantly Perfect, Roses in May and the mare Azeri - can nail down Horse of the Year with a victory in the 1 1/4-mile Classic. It is a particularly crucial race for Birdstone, who is trying to wrest the 3-year-old colt championship from the now-retired Smarty Jones, the Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner.
Birdstone upset Smarty Jones in the Belmont Stakes, then captured the Travers Stakes. If he can add a victory against older horses in the Classic, the spoils of victory will be his.
"If he can pull it off, he's Horse of the Year, no question," said Zito, Birdstone's trainer. "That's enough, isn't it?"
Indeed. And that was the purpose behind the Breeders' Cup's founding more than 20 years ago. One day to settle championships in various divisions.
Saturday's races, worth a total of $14,650,000 in prize money, are filled with Eclipse Award implications, from the first of the eight races to the last.
The Distaff, the first Breeders' Cup race, could decide championships for both older female and 3-year-old filly. With Azeri opting for the Classic, older females Island Fashion and Storm Flag Flying could enhance their title hopes with a victory in the Distaff. And if Ashado, Society Selection, or Stellar Jayne prevails, she could secure the Eclipse Award as champion 3-year-old filly. Storm Flag Flying, who won the Juvenile Fillies in 2002, is trying to become the first horse to win two different Breeders' Cup races.
The Juvenile Fillies will decide the Eclipse Award for best 2-year-old filly. The leading contenders are Sweet Catomine, the best in the West, and Sense of Style, who was the best in the East before her trouble-filled loss in the Alcibiades Stakes.
In the Gold was scratched on Thursday morning from the Juvenile Fillies, leaving 91 horses in the eight races.
The Mile, with a full field of 14, is one of the most wide-open races of the day. The filly Six Perfections is back from France to defend her title in that race.
The Sprint is another race that could fall any number of ways. Speightstown could resurrect his championship hopes with a victory following his loss to pro tem division leader Pico Central earlier this month in the Vosburgh Stakes. Cajun Beat is trying to become the first horse to win the Sprint twice.
The outstanding European filly Ouija Board is the favorite in the Filly and Mare Turf, and a victory by her could bring her the divisional championship off just this lone appearance in the United States. Light Jig, Riskaverse, and Wonder Again all can claim the Eclipse Award with a victory.
The Juvenile should decide the 2-year-old colt championship. With the exception of Del Mar Futurity winner Declan's Moon, the leading 2-year-old males in the country are in this race, including Afleet Alex, Consolidator, Proud Accolade, and Roman Ruler.
Kitten's Joy, the leading grass runner in the country, can secure an Eclipse Award with a victory in the Turf. And he also could put himself in the mix for Horse of the Year, should an improbable longshot win the Classic.
The Classic has an outstanding field. Pleasantly Perfect is seeking to join Tiznow as a repeat winner in the Classic. And if he prevails, he will be both Horse of the Year and the champion older horse.
Lone Star, located midway between Dallas and Ft. Worth, has sold out all 51,034 tickets for this 21st Breeders Cup World Thoroughbred Championships, which is the first held in the state of Texas. Celebrities expected for the Breeders' Cup include country music star George Strait, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, and Texas Gov. Rick Perry.
The races are expected to be run in warm weather. The National Weather Service forecast is for a high of 79 degrees, and, as of Thursday, no rain during the day. There have been occasional showers throughout the week, however, so the turf course should have some give to it. The main track should be fast, barring an unexpected downpour.
The Breeders' Cup races will be televised live by NBC in a five-hour telecast beginning at 1 p.m. Eastern.
http://www.drf.com/news/article/60407.html
I wonder if we will see the races on NBC? ESPN has been taken off Optus.
Seabiscuit
30-10-2004, 20:41
You probably won't get to see the races on NBC as normally you turn on ESPN who take the feed from NBC sometimes (while the NBC you get on Optus probably has stuff about terrorists).
I have backed Ghostzapper in the prepost markets on Betfair so I hope he doesn't get the flu or step on a stone as I do my money for nothing then. Ghostzapper is certainly the fastest horse in the field at distances less than 10 furlongs. Everyone is querying whether he can run 10 furlongs. I don't know myself but I am sticking with him. His last two runs were huge. Hopefully he was not drug assisted or anything like that.
In the Juveniles I have had a bet on Afleet Alex. I thought his last run was really good and indicated a horse ready to fire next time.
Some people are bagging the favourite Roman Ruler. I cannot really fault his form. But I just liked Alex's last run so I am going with him.
In the Sprint I felt that Kela's form looked OK on paper. Query over him being a 7f furlong horse instead of 6f. But I have not backed him as everyone else seems to have the same idea and he is fav or thereabouts on BF so I have left the race alone (for the moment).
Best of luck with Ghostzapper.
BACKSTRETCH2:Q: Alot of people like GZ in the classic I dont give him a chance to hit the board he never has gone the distance your thoughts?
Andy Beyer:As a figure guy, I have to respect any horse who has run sensational numbers such as he has. His 128 at Monmouth, as you probably know, was the biggest figure since our numbers started to appear in the DRF in 1992. Of course, he hasn't tried to go 10 furlongs yet, but what's to say that he can't? He's done just about everything else brilliantly.
Mark:Q: In the breeder's cup classic: it's obvious that Ghostzapper is a super horse -- but how super is he really? He scored an amazing 128 in the Iselin, but I'm assuming that was inflated a lot due to the slop. His recent workout of 1:17 is rather uninspirin
Andy Beyer:There are a lot of times when we look at exceptional figures, scratch our heads and ask, "Could this be right?"--but this was not the case with Ghostzapper's 128. It was cut and dried. How much he moved up in the slop I can't begin to guess. But he had run 120 in his previous start, at 7f, and it's conceivable he has been wanting all along to go longer distances.
On the eve of Halloween, it's only fitting that the horse to win the Breeders' Cup Classic, powered by Dodge be named Ghostzapper. Hustled to an early lead by jockey Javier Castellano, Ghostzapper powered away from a stubborn Roses in May to win by three lengths. The 4-year-old son of Awesome Again, who won the 1998 Classic (also owned Frank Stronach), set a track and stakes record time of 1:59.02. Hall of Fame trainer Bobby Frankel earned just his third Breeders' Cup victory in 60 starts.
Good tipping SB ;)
Cajun Beat wins dash to wire
Ron Mitchell | Bloodhorse.com
With the race run within three-fifths of a second off the track record, Cajun Beat won a dash to the wire in Saturday's Breeders' Cup Sprint (gr. I) .
A 3-year-old son of Grand Slam -- Beckys Shirt (by Cure the Blues), Cajun Beat jumped out to the early lead before being taken back quickly to race just off pacesetters Zavata and Shake You Down. After a quarter-mile was completed in a sizzling :21, the front-runners continued to lead through a half in :43 1/5 as there was stiff competition for the lead. Cajun Beat emerged on top as the field rounded the turn, with five furlongs run in :55.07. Cajun Beat continued to lead through the stretch, with Bluesthestandard closing well on the rail to be second. Shake You Down held on for third as the final time for six furlongs was 1:07 3/5.
Cajun Beat paid a whopping $47.60, $19.80, and $11.20. Bluesthestandard paid $12.60 and $8.00 and Shake You Down was worth $5.00.
The Sprint represented the fifth win in 11 career starts for Cajun Beat, who was bred in Kentucky by John T. L. Jones Jr. and Smoot Fahlgren.
Previous to the Sprint, the gelding won the Kentucky Cup Sprint (gr. III) at Turfway Park.
drf.com
Seabiscuit
31-10-2004, 09:41
Good to see Ghostzapper win. Yet to see the replay yet as ESPN have just shown race 7 which was Afleet Alex's race. He ended up equal favourite with Pleasantly Perfect. Ghostzapper has to be horse of the year now as he is the fastest horse in the world. Only horse who has gotten near him is Saint Liam. It is interesting that Saint Liam did not turn up at the Breeders Cup as his trainer said he would be straight after his clash with Ghostzapper in the Woodward Stks.
Afleet Alex got 2nd and was beaten by Wilko from the UK. I don't mind this so much as Alex was best of the Yanks. But I was a bit disappointed as Alex had the worst trip in the race as he half missed the start and then got shuffled back to last and then was in a terrible position as the pace seemed slow so his jockey had to circle the entire field early in the race. He was the widest horse throughout. He hit the front at the top of the stretch but was flat and it looked like he would struggle from there. In the end it was a good effort to run 2nd but slightly annoying when you got $6 on Betfair and he starts a fair bit shorter on the tote.
Seabiscuit
31-10-2004, 10:39
I have just seen the replay of Ghostzapper's win. A most impressive win. He won decisively running away with the margins 3 lengths x 4 lengths against the best horses in the USA. This horse should be rated the best horse in the world this year on dirt or turf. 5 starts for 5 wins this year.
Handy Harry
31-10-2004, 10:42
Yes I caught the replay today. You are right it was an easy and impressive win..I only saw the final 3 furlongs but it looked V V good. He reminds me of Falbrav.
They should take this horse for Japan Cup dirt or perhaps HK...so he can prove he is the best in the world.
Seabiscuit
31-10-2004, 10:47
The people on the Betfair forum have already decided he is the best in the world so Ghostzapper does not need to go to Japan or anywhere else to prove it. And of course Betfair only caters for sharp minds so any opinions on the BF forum must be right. This is from the Ghostzapper thread on BF.
Pricewise Muppet 31 Oct 08:51
Best since Secretariat?
swordfishtrombone 31 Oct 08:52
Best ever
Kelly 31 Oct 08:53
Big claim .
Pricewise Muppet 31 Oct 08:53
Just reminded me of the performance.
HowieTheRookie 31 Oct 09:05
only winner of the night for me, what was the US price please
cgull 31 Oct 09:06
5-2 I think. Apologies if incorrect.
Apple Pie 31 Oct 09:07
thats correct, 5/2 must have had some big late money come in on it.
HowieTheRookie 31 Oct 09:09
ta, would have been better off with industry (4-1)
Roker 31 Oct 09:15
One of , if not, the best performances in History
Pricewise Muppet 31 Oct 09:31
Slow fractions aided him but just got quicker and quicker.
kingsfold pet 31 Oct 09:33
yesssssssssssssssssssiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii iiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11
Seabiscuit
31-10-2004, 11:32
Daily Racing Form report on the Breeders Cup Classic
http://www.drf.com/bc/2004/classic/classic.html
Ghostzapper humbles a strong field
By JAY PRIVMAN
GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas - On Halloween eve, who ya gonna call?
Ghostzapper.
In an explosive performance that left no doubt as to the Horse of the Year, Ghostzapper romped to a three-length victory against an outstanding field in the $4 million Breeders' Cup Classic on Saturday at Lone Star Park.
Roses in May finished second, with Pleasantly Perfect, the defending race champion, another four lengths back in third.
Ghostzapper ($7) entered the race unbeaten in three starts this year, including the Woodward at Belmont Park. But he had never raced beyond 1 1/8 miles, let alone the Classic's distance of 1 1/4 miles. Before a crowd of 53,717, he handled it with aplomb. Ghostzapper completed the distance in a stakes-record 1:59.02 on the fast main track.
"It's not that I did such a great job. He's a great horse," said his trainer, Bobby Frankel.
The victory was a rapturous prize for Frankel, whose inglorious Breeders' Cup record is well-documented. Frankel entered the day with just 2 wins from 57 starts, then watched his first five Breeders' Cup starters on Saturday all lose. Frankel said he thought Ghostzapper was a winner turning into the stretch, but had a bit of apprehension.
"My Breeders' Cup record is not that great," he said. "If it was a normal day, I'd have been very, very confident."
Ghostzapper has now won major races ranging from 6 1/2 furlongs to 1 1/4 miles. Last year, he won the Vosburgh at Belmont.
"He's the best horse I ever trained," Frankel said. "He's a unique horse in that he can sprint, you can drop him back 15 lengths and win, and you can lay up on the pace and win. I don't think that there's any doubt that he's the best horse in the country now - by far."
This Classic was considered the best ever, eclipsing the stellar field that assembled at Churchill Downs in 1998. That race was won by Awesome Again. In a case of sweet symmetry, Ghostzapper is a son of Awesome Again, and is certainly his best.
Both Awesome Again and his son Ghostzapper were bred and are owned by Frank Stronach, whose Magna Entertainment owns Lone Star. Because Ghostzapper has raced just 10 times, Stronach said of the lightly raced 4-year-old colt, "As far as I'm concerned, he will run next year."
Ghostzapper broke sharply from his inside post, but then jockey Javier Castellano eased him off the rail. He had been instructed to do so by Frankel, who believed the rail was not the best part of the track.
Azeri, who had broken poorly, came through along the inside to vie for the lead heading into the first turn. Ghostzapper had his head in front, with Roses in May just to his outside in second, and Azeri third. The field was well-bunched because of the moderate fractions of 23.42 seconds for a quarter, 47.11 seconds for a half-mile, and 1:11.32 for six furlongs.
As the field moved around the final turn, Azeri dropped away, and Ghostzapper and Roses in May turned it into a sprint for home. They roared through the fourth quarter-mile of the race in 24.06 seconds.
And then, in a dazzling turn of foot usually seen only on the turf, Ghostzapper hit another gear and left Roses in May in his dust. He completed his final quarter-mile in 23.64 seconds, with Castellano gearing him down nearing the wire. It was one of the most visually impressive performances in the Breeders' Cup's 21-year history.
Roses in May, like Ghostzapper, was unbeaten this year. He had won all five of his starts, including the Whitney Handicap at Saratoga. He ran well, but was simply second-best on the day.
"The winner ran a humongous race today," said John Velazquez, who rode Roses in May. "You've got to give him all the credit."
Pleasantly Perfect was trying to join Tiznow as the only horse to win the Classic twice. But he never had decent position. He was in 10th place early behind a moderate pace and never could save ground after breaking from post 12.
"They backed it up early and made it difficult on him," said Richard Mandella, who trains Pleasantly Perfect. "I thought the field would spread out a little more and he'd get better position."
- additional reporting by Mike Welsch
Seabiscuit
01-11-2004, 08:54
http://www.drf.com/bc/2004/crist/crist.html
Crist's Breeders Cup Diary aftermath
Seabiscuit
03-11-2004, 09:18
http://www.paceadvantage.com/forum/showthread.php?threadid=15925
Link to Pace Advantage thread with a brief discussion of Ghostzapper. Link there to a story by Andy Beyer who considers Ghostzapper a freak and one of the fastest horses ever to race in America. His win at Monmouth in August was rated the highest Beyer speed figure since 1992. I am not sure what Beyer figure he earned in the Breeders Cup Classic but it would have to be right up there.
Ghostzapper named top older horse
As the anticipation builds toward tonight’s biggest prize, the Horse of the Year Award at the Eclipse Awards ceremony in Beverly Hills, California, the important hardware continued to be handed out to the connections of North America’s top horses for 2004.
Ghostzapper picked up the award for champion older horse while Azeri was named champion older female for the third straight season.
Ghostzapper raced four times from July 4 to October 30 but punctuated his short campaign with dazzling runs that included a three-length victory in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1), which he completed in a stakes-record time of 1:59.02, and a 10 3/4-length victory in the Philip H. Iselin Breeders’ Cup Handicap (G3). Ghostzapper also won the seven-furlong Tom Fool Handicap (G2) and the 1 1/8-mile Woodward Stakes (G1), both at Belmont Park.
Azeri, 2002 Horse of the Year, earned her third consecutive Eclipse Award for champion older female with Grade 1 wins in the Apple Blossom Handicap, Go for Wand Handicap, and Overbrook Spinster Stakes. She also finished fifth to Ghostzapper in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. D. Wayne Lukas trained Azeri last year for the Allen Paulson Living Trust, which Michael Paulson manages for his late father, who bred the daughter of Jade Hunter.
Trainer Todd Pletcher earned his first award as outstanding trainer and Ken and Sarah Ramsey secured their first Eclipse Award as outstanding owner.
John Velazquez earned the outstanding jockey award and Brian Hernandez Jr. was named outstanding apprentice jockey.
In the early going of Monday night’s Eclipse Awards, Kitten’s Joy was honored as the champion turf male while Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf (G1) winner Ouija Board (GB) was named champion turf female. Also honored were Speightstown as champion sprinter and Hirapour (Ire) as steeplechase champion.
Ken and Sarah Ramsey’s homebred Kitten’s Joy secured champion turf male honors despite a second-place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1). The then three-year-old son of El Prado (Ire) defeated elders in the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational Stakes (G1) in his penultimate start of the season. Kitten’s Joy won six of eight starts, scoring graded stakes wins over six different courses, and never finished worse than second. He earned $1,625,796 in 2004.
Ouija Board (GB) won the Eclipse as champion turf female thanks to her eye-catching 1 1/2-length victory in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf—her lone North American start. In Europe, the daughter of Cape Cross (Ire) won the Epsom (Eng-G1) and Darley Irish (Ire-G1) Oaks and finished third against older males in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (Fr-G1). Her Eclipse marked a good year for three-year-olds on the turf, as they swept both categories.
Hirapour (Ire), a son of Kahyasi, won the Royal Chase for the Sport of Kings Hurdle Stakes at Keeneland Race Course and the Marion duPont Scott Colonial Cup Hurdle Stakes at Camden to win the Eclipse in that category.
Courtesy of thoroughbredtimes.com
http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/todaysnews/photos/GhostzapperMon.jpg
Bill Denver/Equi-Photo
Ghostzapper tags year’s biggest prize at Eclipse Awards
GHOSTZAPPER
Unbeaten in 2004, Ghostzapper was the toast of Thoroughbred racing on Monday night as the multiple Grade 1 winner scooped Eclipse Awards for Horse of the Year and champion older male while his breeder, Frank Stronach's Adena Springs, won in that category.
The Horse of the Year category came down to Ghostzapper and champion three-year-old male Smarty Jones with Ghostzapper netting 64.2% of the first-place votes, 174, to outdistance dual classic winner Smarty Jones, who finished with 35.1% of the votes at 95. Champion three-year-old female Ashado and champion turf male Kitten’s Joy received one vote each.
“I hope my cup isn't running over,” Stronach said at Monday's Eclipse Awards ceremony in Beverly Hills, Calfiornia, before beckoning Ghostzapper's trainer, Bobby Frankel, up to the stage and calling Frankel one of the greatest trainers of all time.
There were no unanimous winners this year, though Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) winner Sweet Catomine came the closest with 273 of the 274 first-place votes (99.6%) in the two-year-old filly category. Ghostzapper earned 269 first-place votes (98.2%) in the champion older male category, and Smarty Jones netted 265 first-place votes (96.7%) in the three-year-old male category.
Ghostzapper, a son of Awesome Again, and Smarty Jones, a son of Elusive Quality, never faced each other on the track and were not even active in racing during the same times last year. Someday Farm’s homebred Smarty Jones raced from January 3 to June 5, winning six of seven races, including the Kentucky Derby (G1) and Preakness Stakes (G1), and earning $7,563,535. He wrapped up his racing career with a runner-up finish to Birdstone in the Belmont Stakes (G1).
Ghostzapper raced four times from July 4 to October 30 but punctuated his short campaign with dazzling runs that included a three-length victory in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1), which he completed in a stakes-record time of 1:59.02, and a 10 3/4-length victory in the Philip H. Iselin Breeders’ Cup Handicap (G3). Ghostzapper also won the seven-furlong Tom Fool Handicap (G2) and the 1 1/8-mile Woodward Stakes (G1), both at Belmont Park.
“In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, may Ghostzapper stay healthy, and thrill the public with more great races," Stronach offered as a variation of a prayer he said before Ghostzapper's Breeders' Cup Classic run.
Martin and Pam Wygod’s homebred Sweet Catomine won three of four starts last year with her lone loss coming in her career debut. She won the Del Mar Debutante Stakes (G1) and Oak Leaf Stakes (G2) before concluding her campaign with a 3 3/4-length victory in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies. The daughter of Storm Cat has returned at three to win the Santa Ysabel Stakes (G3) on January 16 at Santa Anita Park.
The closest Eclipse race in the equine categories went to Eugene and Laura Melnyk’s Speightstown, who earned championship honors in the sprinter category off the strength of his 1 1/4-length victory in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1). A winner of five of six starts in 2004, Speightstown, a son of Gone West, edged Pico Central (Brz), who defeated him in the seven-furlong Vosburgh Stakes (G1), by 56 votes.
Todd Pletcher, who picked up the Eclipse Award as outstanding trainer, handled Speightstown and continues to train Ashado, who took home champion three-year-old filly honors. Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) winner Ashado also won the Kentucky Oaks (G1) and Coaching Club American Oaks (G1) and two other stakes last season before taking the Breeders’ Cup Distaff in track-record time. The daughter of Saint Ballado never finished worse than third in her eight starts last season and earned $2,259,640.
"I can only say that there have been a lot of better trainers to get this award, but no one as honored, proud, and humbled to receive it," Pletcher said.
Besides training those two champions, Pletcher won the Eclipse Award on the strength of leading the nation with $17,511,923 in earnings. His favored rider, John Velazquez, also led the nation in earnings with $22,248,661 to win the Eclipse Award for outstanding jockey. Velazquez guided Speightstown and Ashado to their Breeders’ Cup victories. Together, Pletcher and Velazquez won 148 of 461 races, including five Grade 1 races, and their horses earned $10,725,323.
http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/todaysnews/newsview.asp?recno=52388&subsec=1
vBulletin v3.6.2, Copyright ©2000-2012, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.