Ghostzapper Stakes

Horse race

Ghostzapper StakesGrade III race

Location| Gulfstream Park
Hallandale Beach, Florida
Inaugurated| 1985 (as Creme Fraiche Stakes)
Race type| Thoroughbred \- Flat racing
Website| www.gulfstreampark.com
Race information
Distance| 1+1⁄16 miles
Surface| Dirt
Track| left-handed
Qualification| Four-years-old and older
Weight| 124 lbs with allowances
Purse| $150,000 (since 2023)

The Ghostzapper Stakes is a Grade III American Thoroughbred horse race for four-years-old and older at a distance of one and one-sixteenth miles on the dirt run annually in March at Gulfstream Park located in Hallandale Beach, Florida. The event currently offers a purse of $150,000.

## History

[edit]

The inaugural running of the event was on 26 April 1990 as the Creme Fraiche Stakes over a distance of 7 furlongs and was won by Big Sal ridden US Hall of Fame jockey Earlie Fires by who led all the way in a time of 1:244⁄5[1]

The event was named in honor of the 1985 Belmont Stakes winner, Creme Fraiche who also won Grade I Donn Handicap and W.L. McKnight Handicap at Gulfstream Park.[2]

The following year, 1991 the event's conditions were changed to a handicap and the distance extended to 1+1⁄16 miles.[3]

In 1993 the American Graded Stakes Committee upgraded the race to Grade III.[3]

In 2003 the event was renamed to the Hal's Hope Handicap after the Florida-bred Hal's Hope who had won the event in 2002 and who also won the 2000 Grade I Florida Derby, 2000 Holy Bull Stakes and the 2002 Grade I Gulfstream Park Handicap.[4]

In 2005 the distance of the event was extended to 1+1⁄8 miles[5] but after two runnings the distance was decreased to one mile.[3]

In 2009 the conditions of the event were changed to a stakes allowance which reflected in the modification of the event's name.[3]

In 2020 the distance of the event was increased to 1+1⁄8 miles.[3]

In 2021 the event was renamed to the owner of Gulfstream Park, Frank Stronach's US Hall of Fame and 2004 US Horse of the Year Champion, Ghostzapper as the Ghostzapper Stakes.[6]

In 2023 the distance of the event was decreased from 1+1⁄8 miles to 1+1⁄16 miles.[3]

## Records

[edit]

Speed record:

* 1+1⁄8 miles - 1:48.57 Badge of Silver (2005)
* 1+1⁄16 miles - 1:41.49 Geri (1996)
* 1 mile - 1:33.87 Chatain (2007)

Margins:

* 8 lengths - K. J.'s Appeal (1998)

Most wins:

* 2 - Chatain (2007, 2008)
* 2 - Lea (2014, 2015)

Most wins by a jockey:

* 5 - John R. Velazquez (1998, 2010, 2012, 2019, 2024)

Most wins by a trainer:

* 5 - Todd A. Pletcher (2010, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2022)

Most wins by an owner:

* 2 - Lazy F Ranch (2007, 2008)
* 2 - Claiborne Farm & Adele B. Dilschneider (2014, 2015)

## Winners

[edit]

Year  | Winner  | Age  | Jockey  | Trainer  | Owner  | Distance  | Time  | Purse  | Grade  | Ref

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Ghostzapper Stakes
2024  | Il Miracolo  | 4  | John R. Velazquez | Antonio Sano  | Alexandres  | 1+1⁄16 miles  | 1:43.79  | $150,000  | III  | [7]
2023  | Clapton  | 4  | Emisael Jaramillo  | Juan Alvarado  | Arindel  | 1+1⁄16 miles  | 1:42.94  | $180,000  | III  | [8]
2022  | Fearless  | 6  | Luis Saez | Todd A. Pletcher | Repole Stable  | 1+1⁄8 miles  | 1:50.03  | $100,000  | III  | [9]
2021  | Eye of a Jedi  | 6  | Javier Castellano | Steve Budhoo  | Steve Budhoo  | 1+1⁄8 miles  | 1:48.83  | $100,000  | III  | [10]
Hal's Hope Stakes
2020  | Identifier  | 4  | Marcos Meneses  | Oscar M. Gonzalez  | Gelfenstein Farm  | 1+1⁄8 miles  | 1:50.25  | $100,000  | III  | [11]
2019  | Prince Lucky  | 4  | John R. Velazquez | Todd A. Pletcher | Daniel W. McConnell Sr.  | 1 mile  | 1:34.84  | $100,000  | III  | [12]
2018  | Economic Model  | 5  | Irad Ortiz Jr. | Chad C. Brown | Klaravich Stables & William H. Lawrence  | 1 mile  | 1:36.50  | $100,000  | III  | [13]
2017  | Tommy Macho  | 5  | Luis Saez  | Todd A. Pletcher | Paul P. Pompa Jr. & J Stables  | 1 mile  | 1:35.20  | $150,000  | III  | [14]
2016  | Mshawish  | 6  | Javier Castellano | Todd A. Pletcher | Al Shaqab Racing  | 1 mile  | 1:34.61  | $150,000  | III  | [15]
2015  | Lea  | 6  | Joel Rosario | William I. Mott | Claiborne Farm & Adele B. Dilschneider  | 1 mile  | 1:35.46  | $150,000  | III  | [16]
2014  | Lea  | 5  | Luis Saez  | William I. Mott | Claiborne Farm & Adele B. Dilschneider  | 1 mile  | 1:35.30  | $100,000  | III  | [17]
2013  | Csaba  | 4  | Luis Saez  | Philip A. Gleaves  | Bruce Hollander & Cary Shapoff  | 1 mile  | 1:35.69  | $100,000  | III  | [18]
2012  | Jackson Bend | 5  | John R. Velazquez | Nicholas P. Zito | Robert V. LaPenta & Fred J. Brei  | 1 mile  | 1:38.19  | $100,000  | III  | [19]
2011  | Soaring Empire  | 4  | Jose Lezcano | Cam Gambolati | Ol Memorial Stable & C. E. Glasscock  | 1 mile  | 1:35.99  | $100,000  | III  | [20]
2010  | Quality Road | 4  | John R. Velazquez | Todd A. Pletcher | Edward P. Evans  | 1 mile  | 1:36.33  | $100,000  | III  | [21]
2009  | Delightful Kiss  | 5  | Calvin H. Borel | Pete D. Anderson  | Hobeau Farm  | 1 mile  | 1:36.13  | $100,000  | III  | [22]
Hal's Hope Handicap
2008  | Chatain  | 5  | Cornelio Velasquez | Angel A. Penna Jr.  | Lazy F Ranch  | 1 mile  | 1:36.39  | $100,000  | III  | [23]
2007  | Chatain  | 4  | Cornelio Velasquez | Angel A. Penna Jr.  | Lazy F Ranch  | 1 mile  | 1:33.87  | $100,000  | III  | [24]
2006  | On Thin Ice  | 5  | Shaun Bridgmohan | Joe Orseno | D. J. Stable  | 1+1⁄8 miles  | 1:48.05  | $100,000  | III  | [25]
2005  | Badge of Silver | 5  | Jerry D. Bailey | Robert J. Frankel | Kenneth L. and Sarah K. Ramsey | 1+1⁄8 miles  | 1:48.57  | $100,000  | III  | [26]
2004  | Puzzlement  | 5  | Jorge F. Chavez | H. Allen Jerkens | Joseph V. Shields Jr.  | 1+1⁄16 miles  | 1:42.39  | $100,000  | III  | [27]
2003  | Windsor Castle  | 5  | Eibar Coa | Frank A. Alexander | Dogwood Stable | 1+1⁄16 miles  | 1:42.33  | $100,000  | III  | [28]
Creme Fraiche Handicap
2002  | Hal's Hope  | 5  | Roger I. Velez  | Harold J. Rose  | Rose Family Stable  | 1+1⁄16 miles  | 1:42.40  | $100,000  | III  | [29]
2001  | Race not held
2000  | Dancing Guy  | 5  | Jerry D. Bailey | Newcomb Green  | Frances Green  | 1+1⁄16 miles  | 1:44.94  | $75,000  | III  | [30]
1999  | Jazz Club  | 4  | Pat Day | Neil J. Howard | William S. Farish & Joseph Jamail  | 1+1⁄16 miles  | 1:42.76  | $75,000  | III  | [31]
1998  | K. J.'s Appeal  | 4  | John R. Velazquez | Frank A. Alexander | Releib Stable  | 1+1⁄16 miles  | 1:42.34  | $75,000  | III  | [32]
1997  | Louis Quatorze | 4  | Pat Day | Nicholas P. Zito | William J. Condren, Georgia E. Hofmann & Joseph Cornacchia  | 1+1⁄16 miles  | 1:43.43  | $75,000  | III  | [33]
1996  | Geri  | 4  | Jerry D. Bailey | William I. Mott | Allen E. Paulson | 1+1⁄16 miles  | 1:41.49  | $75,000  | III  | [34]
1995  | Warm Wayne  | 4  | Jerry D. Bailey | Reynaldo H. Nobles  | Due Process Stables  | 1+1⁄16 miles  | 1:43.11  | $75,000  | III  | [35]
1994  | Forever Whirl  | 4  | Herb McCauley | Martin D. Wolfson | Irving Ellis & Alan Reskin  | 1+1⁄16 miles  | 1:41.81  | $75,000  | III  | [36]
1993  | Classic Seven  | 5  | Carlos E. Lopez Sr. | Thomas M. Cairns  | Thomas M. Cairns & John O. Berry  | 1+1⁄16 miles  | 1:43.49  | $100,000  | III  | [37]
1992  | Peanut Butter Onit | 6  | Jose A. Santos | Frank J. Lange  | Elaine J Meltzer  | 1+1⁄16 miles  | 1:43.78  | $75,000  | Listed  | [38]
1991  | New York Swell  | 8  | Jose O. Alferez  | Lawrence W. Jennings Jr. | Ballet Stable  | 1+1⁄16 miles  | 1:42.50  | $75,000  | Listed  | [39]
Creme Fraiche Stakes
1990  | Big Sal  | 5  | Earlie Fires | Cam Gambolati | Sarkisian & Tierney  | 7 furlongs  | 1:24.80  | $33,900  |  | [1]

## See also

[edit]

* List of American and Canadian Graded races

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b "Big Sal wins Creme Fraiche Stakes – (race 9: held 26 April 1990)". Tampa Bay Times. The Associated Press. 27 April 1990. p. 35. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
2. ^ "CREME FRAICHE (USA) b. G, 1982 - 64 Starts, 17 Wins, 12 Places, 13 Shows Career Earnings: $4,024,727". Thoroughbred Database. 2021. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
3. ^ a b c d e f "Hal's Hope Stakes (Gr. 3)". www.equibase.com. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
4. ^ "HALS HOPE (USA) dkb/br. H, 1997 - 33 Starts, 9 Wins, 5 Places, 2 Shows Career Earnings: $1,098,422". Thoroughbred Database. 2021. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
5. ^ "HALS HOPE STAKES - GULFSTREAM PARK, FL". Thoroughbred Database. 2021. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
6. ^ "Gulfstream Condition Book #2". Gulfstream Park. equibase.com. 2021. p. 29. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
7. ^ "2024 Ghostzapper Stakes Grade 3 - (race 7)". Equibase. 30 March 2024. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
8. ^ "2023 Ghostzapper Stakes Grade 3 - (race 7)". Equibase. 1 April 2023. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
9. ^ "2022 Ghostzapper Stakes Grade 3 - (race 6)". Equibase. 2 April 2022. Retrieved 2 April 2022.
10. ^ "2021 Ghostzapper Stakes Grade 3 - (race 8)". Equibase. 27 March 2021. Retrieved 30 March 2021.
11. ^ "2020 Hal's Hope Stakes Grade 3 - (race 6)". Equibase. 28 March 2020. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
12. ^ "2019 Hal's Hope Stakes Grade 3 - (race 11)". Equibase. 23 February 2019. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
13. ^ "2018 Hal's Hope Stakes Grade 3 - (race 12)". Equibase. 24 February 2018. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
14. ^ "2017 Hal's Hope Stakes Grade 3 - (race 11)". Equibase. 14 January 2017. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
15. ^ "2016 Hal's Hope Stakes Grade 3 - (race 7)". Equibase. 9 January 2016. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
16. ^ "2015 Hal's Hope Stakes Grade 3 - (race 7)". Equibase. 10 January 2015. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
17. ^ "2014 Hal's Hope Stakes Grade 3 - (race 10)". Equibase. 11 January 2014. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
18. ^ "2013 Hal's Hope Stakes Grade 3 - (race 10)". Equibase. 13 January 2013. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
19. ^ "2012 Hal's Hope Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 14 January 2012. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
20. ^ "2011 Hal's Hope Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 8 January 2011. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
21. ^ "2010 Hal's Hope Stakes Grade 3 - (race 8)". Equibase. 3 January 2010. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
22. ^ "2009 Hal's Hope Stakes Grade 3 - (race 8)". Equibase. 3 January 2009. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
23. ^ "2008 Hal's Hope Handicap Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 6 January 2008. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
24. ^ "2007 Hal's Hope Handicap Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 6 January 2007. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
25. ^ "2006 Hal's Hope Handicap Grade 3 - (race 5)". Equibase. 7 January 2006. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
26. ^ "2005 Hal's Hope Handicap Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 8 January 2005. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
27. ^ "2004 Hal's Hope Handicap Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 3 January 2004. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
28. ^ "2003 Hal's Hope Handicap Grade 3 - (race 10)". Equibase. 11 January 2003. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
29. ^ "2002 Creme Fraiche Handicap Grade 3 - (race 10)". Equibase. 10 March 2002. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
30. ^ "2000 Creme Fraiche Handicap Grade 3 - (race 11)". Equibase. 11 March 2000. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
31. ^ "1999 Creme Fraiche Handicap Grade 3 - (race 10)". Equibase. 13 March 1999. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
32. ^ "1998 Creme Fraiche Handicap Grade 3 - (race 11)". Equibase. 14 March 1998. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
33. ^ "1997 Creme Fraiche Handicap Grade 3 - (race 4)". Equibase. 15 March 1997. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
34. ^ "1996 Creme Fraiche Handicap Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 16 March 1996. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
35. ^ "1995 Creme Fraiche Handicap Grade 3 - (race 8)". Equibase. 11 March 1995. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
36. ^ "1994 Creme Fraiche Handicap Grade 3 - (race 6)". Equibase. 12 March 1994. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
37. ^ "1993 Creme Fraiche Handicap Grade 3 - (race 10)". Equibase. 28 March 1993. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
38. ^ "1992 Creme Fraiche Handicap Listed - (race 10)". Equibase. 18 January 1992. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
39. ^ "1991 Creme Fraiche Handicap Listed - (race 10)". Equibase. 26 January 1991. Retrieved 11 March 2021.