GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas, Oct. 30 (UPI) -- More than just a hunch bet the day before Halloween, Ghostzapper zapped a dozen rivals Saturday in the $4 million Breeders' Cup Classic.
On the lead but tracked all the way by Roses In May, Ghostzapper never seemed threatened and drew off to win by three lengths in both track and Breeders' Cup record time of 1:59.02. Roses In May held second and last year's Classic winner, Pleasantly Perfect, ran third.
Ghostzapper, with Javier Castellano up, was expected to race on the lead but did so unexpectedly easily. When he got the first half mile in 47 seconds, there was little chance of catching him.
The victory caps a perfect four-race season for the lightly raced, 4-year-old son of Awesome Again and boosts him into serious contention for Horse of the Year honors.
Last year's Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner, Funny Cide, finished 10th. This year's Belmont Stakes winner, Birdstone, finished seventh. The top race mare Azeri was a creditable fifth under the wire.
