Ghostzapper

In this continuing series, TDN's Senior Racing Editor Steve Sherack catches up with the connections of promising maidens to keep on your radar. A flashy 93 Beyer Speed Figure didn't accompany a diploma for Bakster Farm's Pursuitneversleeps (c, 3, Ghostzapper--Fashion Factor, by The Factor), who had to settle for second on debut in a quickly run maiden special weight at Gulfstream Park Mar. 15. Off as the fourth choice at odds of 6-1, the Dale Romans-trained Pursuitneversleeps broke alertly from his rail draw. He was immediately guided to the outside...

If you're going to make your stakes debut in graded company, may as well go big, right? Alexander Helios (Cairo Prince) certainly thought so as he took his grudge match with Banishing (Ghostzapper) down to the wire in the GIII Razorback Handicap. It took him eight tries to break his maiden, and a new trainer, but that 2 1/4-length victory beneath the Twin Spires in November 2023 yielded him a 93 Beyer in his first attempt at 1 1/8-miles for the barn of Saffie Joseph Jr.. It took three attempts...

In his fairly short tenure in the Thoroughbred business, Bobby Flay has proven to be as savvy a breeder as he is a chef and businessman. (He's not a bad writer, either.) Here, he discusses matings for his American-based mares. Check out today's TDN International edition for his European matings. AMERICA, 14, A.P. Indy--Lacadena, by Fasliyev. To be bred to Gun Runner This sire has proven to be at the top of the charts very quickly. America has a Gun Runner yearling that is turning heads at Stone Farm so...

The G1 Saudi Cup hero from a year ago, Senor Buscador, will aim to continue the legacy of his sire Horse of the Year Mineshaft at Lane's End as he stands for $7,500 LFSN, the farm said via a press release on Friday. Bred in Kentucky by Joe R. Peacock, Sr. and Joey Peacock, Jr., Senor Buscador retires from racing with $12,944,427 in earnings and was trained by Todd Fincher. The 7-year-old had shipped last week to Gulfstream Park where he was set to make another start in the GI...

Hallandale, FL--The Gulfstream Park backstretch on Thursday morning was not for the faint of heart. After a healthy dose of rain in addition to a transient cold snap, the going was less-than-welcoming to both horse and human alike. However, one wasn't likely to hear anybody complain about it. With temperatures falling dreadfully low in the Northeast (think single digits) and snow crippling much of the South causing countless travel delays, temps in the 50s and some rain didn't really seem like a big deal in the bigger scheme of things....

4th-GP, $94k, Msw, 3yo, 6f, 1:49p.m. ET Florida will play host to two noteworthy maidens on the Gulfstream Park card Saturday, the first being this six panel maiden sprint, that drew the noteworthy connections with well-bred horses. Lining up against this field of 11 is $1.1-million KEESEP purchase VANDERBILT (Into Mischief). Out of GI Longines Test and Humana Distaff Stakes victress American Gal (Concord Point), the colt was purchased by Grandview Equine to race in partnership with LNJ Foxwoods, Whisper Hill Farm, and Gainesway Stable. The second dam was herself...

3rd-GP, $60k, Msw, 3yo/up, 6 1/2f, 1:18p.m. ET Fashionably late to the party, but making it to the races for the partnership of WinStar Farm, Siena Farm, and Rockridge Racing, TUCSON (Constitution) seeks to validate their patience against a field of experienced maidens over the main track. Hammered down for $1.3-million at KEESEP in 2022 but later having to be resold by Keeneland the following spring, the chestnut has been working steadily for Todd Pletcher out at Palm Beach Downs. A half-brother to Grade I-winning and Royal Ascot Group 1-placed...

If at first you don't succeed, try, try again. That was the case for Canadian Horse of the Year MOIRA (Ghostzapper--Devine Aida, by Unbridled's Song) as she took the lead in her third attempt in the GI Maker's Mark Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf, before driving home a half-length winner for her first Grade I tally at Del Mar Saturday. In so doing, the 5-1 shot held off the late rush of Godolphin's 13-5 favorite Cinderella's Dream (GB) (Shamardal), who nosed out Didia (Arg) (Orpen) for second. The final...

ReRun Thoroughbred Adoption and After the Finish Line will restart the popular Moneigh auctions--abstract artwork created by horses using their lips, muzzle, hoof, and/or whiskers--later this week. Eighteen original Moneighs by Breeders' Cup winners and competitors will be up for bid, including original artwork by Cody's Wish, Serena's Song, Authentic, Kitten's Joy, Afleet Alex, Blame, Ghostzapper, Midshipman, and others. "This new collaboration between charities means proceeds will help even more Off-Track Thoroughbreds in need. The Moneighs are back with a fresh new look and exciting new stallion, broodmare, and pony...

Horse of the Year Ghostzapper, a perennial leading sire, will relocate to Frank Stronach's Adena Springs Farm in Aurora, Ontario Canada for what is most likely his final year at stud, Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa announced Monday. "I want to thank Frank Stronach for the privilege of standing Ghostzapper at Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa," said John Sikura. "It has been our honor to stand this outstanding sire and exceptional breed-shaping stallion. His record at stud will influence the breed for generations. At this point in his career, Ghostzapper...

A generation ago, the Philip H. Iselin S. used to be the premier race of the summer at Monmouth Park. Even while cycling through several name changes, the then-handicap carried Grade I status between 1976 and 1996 and a purse that swelled to $500,000 for a few years. Its importance as an August fixture for top older routers merited regular broadcasts on national TV, and the race's roster of winners boasted such standouts as Spectacular Bid, Alysheba and Skip Away. In decline ever since, the Iselin had already levelled out...

Some of the most highly anticipated races during the summer racing season are the 'baby' races during the boutique meetings at Saratoga and Del Mar and at Ellis Park, which attract its fair share of high-priced offspring from a variety of top national outfits. Summer Breezes highlights debuting and stakes-entered 2-year-olds at those meetings that have been sourced at the breeze-up sales earlier in the year, with links to their under-tack previews. Here is the single such horse entered for Thursday at Saratoga and Del Mar: Thursday, August 8, 2024...