Shaman Ghost, who was second to Arrogate in the $12 million Pegasus World Cup, proved it was no fluke when he was scary good Saturday taking the Santa Anita Handicap. He is a ‘house horse, as he is owned by Santa Anita’s owner Frank Stronach, and his connections have options moving forward.
My selection, Midnight Storm, did his thing but it was not good enough.
Midnight Storm tried to take it all the way home as the 7-5 second choice, setting splits of :23.54, :47.52, 1:11.76 and 1:36.18. Jockey Javier Castellano positioned Shaman Ghost in a tracking spot just behind Midnight Storm and it was this maneuver that propelled his mount to victory.
Castellano once again showed why he is the best rider in the country. The four-time Eclipse Award winner had a winning game plan, Castellano: “I knew there wasn’t a lot of speed in the race so I just wanted to focus on the horse on the lead, Midnight Storm, and keep track of him. I knew I had it won at the eighth pole. I asked him for full speed and he gave it to me, right away. I said, Yes.”
Midnight Storm held on for second and 18-1 shot Follow the Crew finished third. Shaman Ghost paid $4.60.
Shaman Ghost is trained by James Jerkens and he grew up at the foot of one of the greatest trainers of all time. His dad Allen had a knack for getting up for the best races and he was known as the ‘Giant Killer’ His trainee Onion defeated Secretariat in the 1973 Whitney Handicap. His student Prove Out beat both Secretariat and Riva Ridge and his student Beau Purple shocked too. That runner beat 5-time Horse of the Year Kelso numerous times.
Jerkens was starting his second runner in the Big ‘Cap and Shaman Ghost was his first win. Jerkens: “He was in a nice spot the whole way, and then when the leader kicked away a little on the turn, for a second it looked like he was getting a little discouraged. Javier was able to head him to the outside, out of the dirt, and I felt good right before they turned for home. It didn’t look on paper like there was much pace, so it didn’t surprise me that he was placed where he was. He’s been showing up in all of his races, so I think he should get some (respect) now.”
Shaman Ghost is far from a one-hit wonder. In 2015 he captured the first leg of the Canadian Triple Crown, the Queen’s Plate, and just missed by a neck when runner-up in the second jewel, the Prince of Wales Stakes. Shaman Ghost was close to the pace and won the Grade 2 Suburban Handicap last year and came from mid-pack to take the Grade 1 Woodward at Saratoga. Rested for several weeks, Shaman Ghost prepped for the Pegasus World Cup by running third to Gun Runner in the Grade 1 Clark.
Shaman Ghost earned a 108 Beyer Speed Figure for his Big ‘Cap success and it’s a credible number. Last year Melatonin posted a 107 winning Beyer and in 2015 the sensational Shared Belief was awarded a 111 Beyer winning the Big ‘Cap.
Considering Shaman Ghost is based back East, Jerkens figures to spot his runner on that coast for his upcoming future races. One race that comes in mind that he could be interested in is the $1.5 million Charles Town Classic. Another race that Jerkens could opt for is the Grade 1 Oaklawn Handicap.
If things go well in either of those races Shaman Ghost could show up in the Grade 1 Stephen Foster at Churchill and maybe the Whitney and the Woodward at Saratoga.
The ultimate goal for Stronach and Jerkens will be back in California for the Breeders’ Cup Classic. The Breeders’ Cup this year will be run for the first time at Del Mar and it could be one of the best renewals in history.
Del Mar in November is an ideal place to hold an extravaganza like the Breeders’ Cup. The weather will be superior, the track will be fine-tuned, the fans will be sky high, and the bettors will not only have options for sun tanning, but options on the racetrack.
It’s always nice to look forward to something big.
Shaman Ghost Scares Big ‘Cap Foes
