Stronach Stables’ Ghostzapper (Awesome Again), who capped his unbeaten 2004
campaign with an impressive victory in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) at Lone
Star Park, achieved a rating of 130 on the World Thoroughbred Racehorse
Rankings. The rankings, previously known as the International Classifications,
are announced by a panel of handicappers tapped by the International Federation
of Horseracing Authorities.
Ghostzapper was joined by fellow American runners Pleasantly Perfect
(Pleasant Colony), 126; Medaglia d’Oro (El Prado [Ire]), 124; Pico Central (Brz)
(Spend a Buck), 123; and Roses in May (Devil His Due), 123, in the top eight.
The second-highest overall rating was achieved by Kentucky Derby (G1) hero
Smarty Jones (Elusive Quality), whose 128 topped all three-year-olds. This marks
the first time that both of the top-ranked horses are both trained in America.
Top turf performer Kitten’s Joy (Elusive Quality), rated at 122, was the only
other U.S.-based sophomore in the top nine.