Horse of the Year GHOSTZAPPER (Awesome Again) was represented by his first
winner when Golden Ghost dead-heated for the victory in Saturday’s $76,750
First State Dash S. at Delaware Park. Out of Grade 1-winning millionaire
Mandy’s Gold (Gilded Time), the chestnut colt also became the first winner
produced by his dam.
Trained by Michael Gorham for Steeplechase Farm and ridden by Jeremy Rose,
Golden Ghost forced the pace set by Toboggan Slide (Rock Slide) in the
off-the-turf event. Golden Ghost put his head in front in midstretch, but
Toboggan Slide fought back, and the pair engaged in a brushing match. The two,
who pulled 5 3/4 lengths clear of their nearest pursuer, were inseparable at the
wire in a final time of :59 for five furlongs on the sloppy, sealed track.
Ghostzapper, a homebred campaigned by Stronach Stables, revealed himself as a
serious talent in his debut as a juvenile, spread-eagling a Hollywood Park
maiden field by nine commanding lengths. The Bobby Frankel trainee was fourth
next time out, the only time in his career that he would ever finish out of the
top three, and he was sidelined for nearly six months.
Returning in the summer of his sophomore season, Ghostzapper sailed through
his allowance conditions at Belmont and Saratoga, and took his first swing at
stakes company in the King’s Bishop S. (G1). The bay unleashed a furious late
charge from the clouds, but fell a half-length short in third. Although he met
with defeat, Ghostzapper emerged with great credit, considering that he made up
more than four lengths inside the final furlong. He would never lose again.
Ghostzapper annihilated older foes next time out in the Vosburgh S. (G1).
Last of 10 early, he finished with a flourish to win by 6 1/2 lengths.
Ghostzapper did not return to action until the Tom Fool H. (G2) on the following
July 4, and in keeping with the spirit of the occasion, he set off some
fireworks of his own. Flashing much more tactical speed than in his prior stakes
attempts, Ghostzapper cruised up to challenge on the far turn and comfortably
drew 4 1/4 lengths clear.
Now a proven star in the sprint ranks, Ghostzapper stretched out in search of
new worlds to conquer. He made his two-turn debut in the 1 1/8-mile Philip H.
Iselin H. (G3) over a sloppy track at Monmouth. Unfazed by the novelty,
Ghostzapper stalked the pacesetter, made his move turning for home, and
proceeded to romp by 10 3/4 lengths.
Ghostzapper was challenged for the first and only time that season in the
Woodward S. (G1) at Belmont Park. Vying throughout with Saint Liam, a future
Horse of the Year himself, Ghostzapper was floated out wide by his rival
entering the stretch. The two bumped in the course of their hammer-and-tong
duel, locked in a virtual match race as they stormed more than nine lengths
clear of third. Ghostzapper ultimately had too much firepower for Saint Liam and
inched away to score by a neck.
The next mountain to climb was the 1 1/4-mile Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1),
which was to be Ghostzapper’s lone attempt at the American classic distance.
Barreling straight to the front, he was pressed by subsequent Dubai World Cup
(UAE-G1) winner Roses in May, but spurted away on the far turn and increased his
margin to three lengths on the wire. Ghostzapper broke the track record at Lone
Star Park, and simultaneously established a stakes record, by sizzling 1 1/4
miles in 1:59.
In the wake of his accomplishments, Ghostzapper was not only hailed as Horse
of the Year and champion older horse for 2004. He also elicited comparisons with
the legendary Dr. Fager, another horse of other-worldly speed over a wide array
of distances.
Ghostzapper capped his career with an eerily easy victory in the 2005
Metropolitan H. (G1). After traveling in third, he slipped through between
rivals on the far turn and coasted home, unextended, while rattling off the mile
in 1:33 1/5. Sadly, Ghostzapper sustained a fractured sesamoid and was retired,
having compiled a sterling mark of 11-9-0-1, $3,446,120.
Out of the stakes-winning Baby Zip (Relaunch), who was honored as Broodmare
of the Year in 2005, Ghostzapper is a half-brother to Hopeful S. (G1) hero and
successful sire City Zip (Carson City). From the family of 1992 Kentucky Derby
(G1) winner Lil E. Tee (At the Threshold), Ghostzapper descends from Native Gal
(*Sir Gallahad III), the ancestress of Triple Crown legend Affirmed (Exclusive
Native). Native Gal herself traces to the late 19th century sprint star
Correction (Himyar), a full sister to the whirlwind and influential sire Domino.
The nine-year-old Ghostzapper commands a fee of $125,000, live foal, at Adena
Springs near Paris, Kentucky.