Shaman Ghost Back in Pimlico Special

Shaman Ghost | Leslie Martin

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Stronach Stable's two-time Grade I winner Shaman Ghost (Ghostzapper) looms squarely as the one to beat for trainer Jimmy Jerkens in Friday's GIII Pimlico Special traveling the GI Preakness S. distance of 1 3/16 miles. Exiting four consecutive tries at the highest level–including a runner-up finish behind champion Arrogate (Unbridled's Song) in the GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational Jan. 28 and a win in the Mar. 11 GI Santa Anita H.–the 5-year-old appears to be only getting better with age.

“People are realizing that Ghostzapper is a good stallion,” Jerkens said. “His horses develop in time and that's what you want. It seems like it takes them a while to get their [act] together, but once they do, they like it and they're competitive and they show good quality, just like he was.”

Shaman Ghost has worked six times since his Big Cap triumph–including an impressive bullet five-furlong move in :59.05 at Belmont May 10.

John Oxley's Noble Bird (Birdstone) will need a form reversal to defend his title in the Pimlico Special after demolishing a scratch-reduced field by 11 1/4 lengths last year. The Mark Casse trainee does his best work when allowed to settle on the front end, but has been unable to get the lead in his last four starts. He hooks a formidable speed rival once again Friday in Jimmy Jerkens' second entrant, Dolphus (Lookin At Lucky)–a half-brother to 2009 Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra (Medaglia d'Oro). Named in honor of Rachel Alexandra's breeder, the late Dolphus C. Morrison, the rail-drawn chestnut has demonstrated sub-:46 half-mile speed since adding blinkers and recently delivered a powerhouse wire-to-wire win in a one-mile optional claimer at Aqueduct Apr. 23.

Godolphin's Watershed (Bernardini) enters off a win in Keeneland's Apr. 15 GIII Ben Ali S., while Will Farish's Eagle (Candy Ride {Arg}) will look to turn the tables on that rival after closing belatedly to complete the exacta in Lexington.

Colts Neck Stables' homebred Name Changer (Uncle Mo) is confidently spotted here off a six-month layoff. The dark bay closed out his sophomore year with a decisive win in a stronger-than-average renewal of the Nov. 19 Richard W. Small S. at Laurel, defeating graded stakes winners Tommy Macho (Macho Uno) and Ami's Holiday (Harlan's Holiday) in the process.

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