Stronach Stables homebred Shaman Ghost (Ghostzapper) came charging late to overtake favored Danish Dynaformer (Dynaformer) in deep stretch and win Sunday's Queen's Plate going away by 1 1/4 lengths. It marked the third Plate win for Frank Stronach, following two other homebreds, Basqueian in 1994 and Shaman Ghost's grandsire Awesome Again in 1997.
“Just as I was walking in the grass near the saddling area I looked down and saw a four-leaf clover,” said Stronach. “That's usually a good sign. But I had a good feeling all day long because the horse beat every horse in the race before in better times. I think this time we got a real good horse and he was hardly breathing when he came over here [to the winner's circle].”
Trainer Brian Lynch was second in the 2008 Plate with Stronach's filly Ginger Brew and was winning his first Queen's Plate. “We'll certainly have a good night,” Lynch said. “It's a prestigious race. But to win it for the Stronachs, it's great.”
Shaman Ghost was unhurried early and settled well off the pace as the filly Academic (Henny Hughes) and longshot Sweet Grass Creek (Wando) battled through an opening quarter in :22.99. Sweet Grass Creek pounced to the lead entering the backstretch and swiftly opened a clear advantage after a half in :45.76 and three-quarters in 1:10.82.
Shaman Ghost inched closer on the turn as the pacesetter packed it in and was overtaken by a host of challengers. Billy's Star (Perfect Soul {Ire}) came out of the turn in front, but favored Danish Dynaformer was making rapid progress on the outside, shadowed by Shaman Ghost. Danish Dynaformer hit the front with a furlong to run, but Shaman Ghost began closing inexorably from the center of the track and surged past the favorite in the dying strides. Conquest Boogaloo (Scat Daddy), who trailed the field for much of the race after a slow start, closed to be third.
“I thought it was a great ride, very patient,” trainer Brian Lynch said. “I thought a few jocks panicked at the quarter-pole, but you can see him [Rafael Hernandez] sort of sitting. We had the best horse on the day. I could just see Rafael [Hernandez]'s red cap moving forward, moving forward, trying to get himself in a good position. I knew this horse would have some finish to him and I knew I had the right rider. He is very patient and would give this horse a fabulous ride.”
Hernandez added, “[Danish Dynaformer] made a move too early, I let him pass me. I know my horse always has a kick. So he did his thing. He made his kick down the lane. Brian said he had been training well. He is a great horse. He gave me everything today.”
Shaman Ghost broke his maiden over the main track at Gulfstream Mar. 14 in his fourth try. He added a Keeneland allowance Apr. 9 before returning to Woodbine to win the May 16 GIII Marine S. Danish Dynaformer, who went on to win the Plate Trial, was third that day.
Shaman Ghost is out of Getback Time (Gilded Time). The mare, in foal to Awesome Again, RNA'd for $70,000 at the 2013 Keeneland November sale. In foal to Point of Entry, she sold for $42,000 at last year's Keeneland November sale. Her Awesome Again colt RNA'd for $47,000 as a weanling at Keeneland last November. She produced a colt by Point of Entry this year.
Sunday, Woodbine
QUEEN'S PLATE S., (NB) C$1,002,400, WO, 7-5, (C), 3yo, 1 1/4m (AWT), 2:03.45, ft.
1–SHAMAN GHOST, 126, c, 3, by Ghostzapper
1st Dam: Getback Time (MSP, $384,050), by Gilded Time
2nd Dam: Shay, by Incinderator
3rd Dam: Lookin Like a Lady, by Skywalker
O-Stronach Stables; B-Adena Springs (ON); T-Brian A.
Lynch; J-Rafael Manuel Hernandez. C$600,000.
Lifetime Record: GSW, 7-4-0-0, $611,611. Click for
the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Werk Nick
Rating: A++.
2–Danish Dynaformer, 126, c, 3, Dynaformer–Danish
Wildcat, by Danehill. O/B-Charles E. Fipke (ON);
T-Roger L. Attfield. C$200,000.
3–Conquest Boogaloo, 126, c, 3, Scat Daddy–Jules
Best, by Jules. ($67,000 Ylg '13 KEEJAN; $190,000
Ylg '13 KEESEP). O-Conquest Stables, LLC; B-James
& Janeane Everatt, Arika Everatt-Meeuse & Tim
Meeuse (ON); T-Mark E. Casse. C$110,000.
Margins: 1 1/4, HF, 1. Odds: 3.30, 3.25, 6.45.
Also Ran: Billy's Star, Breaking Lucky, Oakton, Ault, Ami's Flatter, Easy Indygo, Bear At Last, Portree, Sweet Grass Creek, Academic. Scratched: Milwaukee Mist.
Click for the Equibase.com chart, the TJCIS PPs or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
