Horse of the Year GHOSTZAPPER (Awesome Again) was assigned the highweight of 123
pounds and is set to make his five-year-old debut in the $750,000 Metropolitan H.
(G1) on Monday. The Bobby Frankel trainee comes off a seven-month rest after
winning the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) by three lengths over Roses in May (Devil His
Due). Ghostzapper was originally scheduled to make his seasonal debut in the
Oaklawn H. (G2), but was taken out due to a sinus infection. Javier Castellano
has the call.
“If he’s 90 percent fit, he should win,” Frankel said. “I think
I have him
fit enough. I’d be disappointed and a little surprised if he lost. He’s ‘Horse
of the World’.”
Before Ghostzapper can claim the victory, he must get past the improving
FOREST DANGER (Forestry). The four-year-old is undefeated in two starts this
year, opening up the year with a 9 1/2-length victory against optional-claiming
company and following that up with a 1 3/4-length score in the Carter H. (G1). In
six lifetime starts, the colt has produced a record of 5-1-0.
Leading the field for the post parade will be SIR SHACKLETON (Miswaki),
carrying 116 pounds with
Rafael Bejarano aboard. Following him are Ghostzapper; LOVE
OF MONEY (Not for Love), Edgar Prado, 116; POMEROY (Boundary), Gary Stevens,
115; SILVER WAGON (Wagon Limit), Cornelio Velasquez, 114; Forest Danger, John
Velazquez, 118.