Shaman Ghost can make history in the Breeders' Cup Classic

On a cold day in November 1998, a four year old Canadian-Bred colt won, what many analysts and racing experts called he most "star-studded" Breeders' Cup Classic field in history. The field included Grade 1 winners Silver Charm, Skip Away; the European, Swain; Touch Gold, and Victory Gallop. In the end, it was the Stronach Stables colt Awesome Again who capped a perfect six for six season to win America's richest race. After the Classic, Awesome Again was retired from racing and sent to stud. His first crop hit the track in 2002. The biggest star of Awesome Again's first crop was a colt named Ghostzapper. 

Ghostzapper, just like his father ran ultra consistently on the track and just like his father, had an undefeated year as a four year old. Ghostzapper, owned and bred by Stronach Stables, ran the fastest Breeders' Cup Classic in the last 20 years when he won the 2004 Classic over another "star studded" field that included the defending champion Pleasently Perfect and 2002 Horse of the Year Azeri.

Ghostzapper was a fast horse and just like his father, never ran a bad race in his career. He would later join his father at stud in 2005. Awesome Again and Ghostzapper are two Breeders' Cup Classic winners who are also both successful sires. Both are owned and bred by Stronach Stables. Next Saturday, another homebred could add to the family legacy and become a Breeders' Cup Classic winner. That horse's name is Shaman Ghost.

Shaman Ghost, a Canadian Bred by Ghostzapper, almost has the same vibe as his father and grandfather. Just like Awesome Again, Shaman Ghost is a Queen's Plate winner, taking the 2015 edition. Just like Ghostzapper, he is a Woodward winner. Shaman Ghost has many similarities to his family, but next Saturday, he will be a longshot in another star-studded field for the Breeders' Cup Classic. I believe, though, he is a live play in the race.

Shaman Ghost has already outrun his pedigree. He has won at distances up to 1 1/2 miles, as he did when he won the Brooklyn Handicap earlier this year. Shaman Ghost scored an upset in the Grade 1 Woodward Stakes at Saratoga, when he defeated Frosted.

According to reports, Shaman Ghost is training lights out for the Classic. His trainer knows something about upsets.Trainer Jimmy Jerkens, is the son of the "Giant Killer" Allen Jerkens. So in my view, he's got the connections, the family, the trainer, and the resume to be a legitimate longshot. Not to mention, the track where the Classic is run, is owned by Frank Stronach, owner of Shaman Ghost. With a horse like this, he is a very worthy longshot to watch out for in the Breeders' Cup Classic.