Ghostzapper makes history in Classic

BREEDERS' CUP RECAPS

Ghostzapper makes history in Classic

In 1998, Awesome Again capped off a six-race win streak with a

victory in the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) at Churchill Downs.

Retired after that victory, the bay was sent to stud and achieved

success in the breeding shed with his very first crop.

On Saturday, that success became historical as the 10-year-old

stallion became the first Classic winner to sire a Classic winner

when GHOSTZAPPER stormed past the wire much the best in the $4

million event.

Ghostzapper gave Awesome Again his second Breeders' Cup winner

on the day -- earlier Wilko upset the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1)

by three parts of a length.

Coming off four straight wins ranging from 6 1/2 furlongs to 1

1/8 miles, the Bobby Frankel-trained Ghostzapper showed the way

from the beginning as he stretched out to 10 furlongs for the

first time in his career. With regular rider Javier Castellano

aloft and sporting the familiar Stronach Stables silks, the

four-year-old colt set splits of :23 2/5, :47, 1:11 1/5 and 1:35

1/5 before pulling away in the stretch to finish three lengths

ahead of his nearest rival. In the process, the bay set a new

track and Classic record for 1 1/4 miles, stopping the clock in

1:59.

"The way this day had been going, I thought I was going to be in for a

disaster," said Frankel, who had five earlier horses on the day finish off

the board. "This sure makes things better. This is as big a win as I've had

in my career. In fact, it could be the biggest win I've had in my career."

Ghostzapper was the public's choice at 5-2 and vindicated that

backing with payouts of $7, $4 and $3.60. Roses in May (Devil His

Due) gave back $8.20 and $5.20 as the 8-1 fifth pick and held

defending Classic champion Pleasantly Perfect (Pleasant Colony),

who returned $3, to third by four lengths. Perfect Drift

(Dynaformer) followed by another three parts of a length and

completed the 1-6-12-4 superfecta that paid $1,297.80. The other

exotics were worth $46.60 (exacta) and $164 (trifecta).

Completing the order under the wire were Azeri (Jade Hunter),

Personal Rush (Wild Rush), Birdstone (Grindstone), Dynever

(Dynaformer), Fantasticat (Storm Cat), Funny Cide (Distorted

Humor), Bowman's Band (Dixieland Band), Newfoundland (Storm Cat)

and Freefourinternet (Tabasco Cat)

Ghostzapper earned his fifth straight win with this one and

now owns a record of 10-8-0-1. He has captured the Vosburgh S.

(G1), Woodward S. (G1), Tom Fool H. (G2) and Philip H. Iselin

Breeders' Cup H. (G3), with his third-place finish coming when he

made his stakes debut in the King's Bishop S. (G1) last year. He

was already close to the $1 million mark in earnings prior to the

Classic and now shows a bankroll of $2,996,120.

Bred in Kentucky by Adena Springs, Ghostzapper is out of

stakes winner Baby Zip (Relaunch), making him a half-brother to

Grade 1 winner City Zip (Carson City) as well as an unnamed

yearling filly by Golden Missile and an unnamed weanling colt by

Mr. Greeley. Ghostzapper also has a full brother in the juvenile

Aristocrat, who finished fourth in his career debut.