Ghostzapper

In this continuing series, we take a look ahead at US-bred and/or conceived runners entered for the upcoming weekend at the tracks on the Japan Racing Association circuit, with a focus on pedigree and/or performance in the sales ring. Here are the horses of interest for this weekend running at Fukushima and Kokura Racecourses: Sunday, July 3, 2022 3rd-FKS, ¥9,900,000 ($73k), Maiden, 3yo, 1150m THEURGIST (c, 3, Ghostzapper--Orphea, by Medaglia d'Oro) was the most expensive of this outstanding sire's weanlings to sell in 2019, hammering to Paca Paca Farm on...

How poignant that, in this of all weeks, the two most breathtaking winners on Belmont day should both have prompted comparisons with Ghostzapper, whose GI Breeders' Cup Classic at Lone Star Park in 2004 was surely the greatest Thoroughbred performance ever on Texan soil. Because while the whole racing world came to Dallas that day, it appears that there will be no reciprocal embrace when it comes to the standards sought—not just federally, but internationally—to give American horseracing credibility in the contest for public engagement in the 21st Century.

How poignant that, in this of all weeks, the two most breathtaking winners on Belmont day should both have prompted comparisons with Ghostzapper, whose GI Breeders' Cup Classic at Lone Star Park in 2004 was surely the greatest Thoroughbred performance ever on Texan soil. Because while the whole racing world came to Dallas that day, it appears that there will be no reciprocal embrace when it comes to the standards sought—not just federally, but internationally—to give American horseracing credibility in the contest for public engagement in the 21st Century. It's...

Dazzlingdominika will be the lone horse up for bid in the Fasig-Tipton Digital for the "Ready Made Racing Flash Sale," where bidding opened Monday. Dazzlingdominika. Trained by William Walden, the 2-year-old daughter of Ghostzapper won a maiden special weight at Churchill Downs May 13. She is consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent. Bidding closes Thursday, May 26, at 2 pm EDT. The filly is out of a half-sister to Grade I winner Heir Kitty. Her immediate family includes last year's GI Arkansas Derby winner Super Stock. "Dazzlingdominika is a...

It was a hectic week in the Thoroughbred business with all eyes firmly focussed on Louisville, Kentucky. Here are some facts and figures that you might have missed in the rush. Record Numbers... Wagering from all-sources on the Kentucky Derby (single race) totaled $179 million, up 15% over 2021 and up 8% from the previous record of $166.5-million set in 2019. This year's wagering record includes $8.3 million of handle put through the window in Japan. The Smart Strike Factor... As a broodmare sire, Smart Strike has the distinction of...

Last term's G1 Dubai World Cup hero Mystic Guide (Ghostzapper--Music Note, by A.P. Indy) has been retired to Jonabell Farm, where he will stand the 2023 breeding season, Godolphin announced Thursday. A fee will be announced at a later date. "The decision has been made to retire Mystic Guide due to a soft tissue injury," Dan Pride, COO of Godolphin in America, said. "The timing unfortunately rules out his major summer and fall targets and as a result he will take up stud duties at Jonabell Farm. He proved himself...

5th-Gulfstream, $43,000, Msw, 4-24, 3yo, f, 1mT, 1:36.22, fm, 1 length. LINDA'S GIFT (f, 3, Arrogate--Americana {SP}, by Tapit)'s career debut rally fell 2 1/4 lengths short behind heavy favorite Wonka (Twirling Candy) last out Mar. 27 at this venue, but the kick carried her home here despite slightly less real-estate to do it in. As the only horse in said last-out race to go without Lasix, she went to post with the diuretic today, and broke fairly to set up shop from fifth behind the first flight of runners....

Repole Stable's Fearless (Ghostzapper) ran to the money as the 3-5 chalk in Saturday's GIII Harlan's Holiday S., the local prep for the upcoming $3-million GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational at Gulfstream Jan. 29. Drawn widest of all in post six, he tracked a pair of dueling leaders in a dream spot in third as they made their way up the backstretch. This term's GII WinStar Gulfstream Park Mile S. Feb. 27 winner revved up three wide rounding the far turn, kicked for home as the one to catch and...

Sponsored by Alex Nichols Agency WELL-BRED FILLIES DEBUT IN FLORIDA 3rd-GP, $60K, Msw, 2yo, f, 1mT, 12:58 p.m. Stonestreet Stables' BLYTHE SPIRIT (Ghostzapper) makes her career bow in this event. The $550,000 KEENOV purchase is a half to SW & GSP Telekinesis (Ghostzapper). Their second dam is MGSW Gold Mover (Gold Fever), who produced SW Giant Mover (Giant's Causeway), dam of MGSW & GISP Family Tree (Smart Strike) and GSW & GISP Liora (Candy Ride {Arg}). Glen Hill Farm homebred Influencing (Tapit) also debuts here. She is the latest foal...

Guarana (Ghostzapper--Magical World, by Distorted Humor), purchased from Fasig-Tipton's November sale for $4.4 million (TDN Nov. 10 edition), will visit MGISW Charlatan (Speightstown), the farm's most recent addition to Hill n' Dale's roster at Xalapa. Awarded TDN Rising Star status after breaking her maiden by 14 3/4 lengths, she followed up that victory in her next start with a stakes record performance in the GI Acorn S., winning by six lengths before adding a score in the GI Coaching Club American Oaks. She subsequently added a victory in the GI...

7th-Keeneland, $83,921, Msw, 10-22, 3yo/up, f/m, 6f, 1:09.85, ft, 8 1/2 lengths. GOODNIGHT OLIVE (f, 3, Ghostzapper--Salty Strike {MGSW, $485,266}, by Smart Strike) was second as 11-5 chalk at Keeneland back at Gulfstream in March, and proved worth the wait Friday with an impressive belated maiden breaker. Backed as the 2-5 chalk facing mostly firsters and a couple who had had plenty of chances, the FTKOCT grad showed good speed to vie for early command before being taken back adeptly by Tyler Gaffalione to let the top two go at...

The roster and fees for Hill 'n' Dale Farm's 2022 season is led by the nation's leading sire in number of Grade I winners, dual Horse of the Year Curlin (Smart Strike--Sheriff's Deputy, by Deputy Minister). He will return in 2022 for a fee of $175,000 LFSN. Also remaining unchanged is fellow Horse of the Year Ghostzapper (Awesome Again--Baby Zip, by Relaunch). The Hall of Famer will stand for $75,000 LFSN in 2022. Included among the operation's up-and-coming sires, Good Magic (Curlin--Glinda the Good, by Hard Spun), whose fee also...