Asked about the origin of Ghostzapper's name and that he won the biggest race so far in his career on Halloween eve, Stronach cracked, "We planned it all along. You know, the ghost of Halloween. So we figured it would be a nice name."
Owner Frank Stronach said Sunday that Breeders' Cup Classic - Powered by Dodge (gr. I) winner Ghostzapper will remain in training next year, with a campaign aimed at defending the title in the race he won Saturday at Lone Star Park."I think he is a very exciting horse and I think I owe it to the racing public to run him next year," Stronach said during the breakfast held each year following the Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championship races.Trained by Bobby Frankel, Ghostzapper led from start to finish to win the Classic in track-record and Breeders' Cup Classic record time of 1:59.02. The winner's purse of $2,080,000 increased the 4-year-old colt's career bankroll to $2,996,120 gleaned from eight wins in 10 starts.Ghostzapper is one of two horses on Saturday's card sired by Awesome Again , the Breeders' Cup Classic winner who stands at stud at Stronach's Adena Springs Farm. Stronach is also board chairman of Magna Entertainment, which operates Lone Star Park."I am not really religious, but I did say a little silent prayer Saturday in the name of the father, the son, and the Holy Ghost that may Ghostzapper win," Stronach said. "I feel very much blessed."Frankel said he believes Ghostzapper's impressive victory, his fourth in as many starts this year, secures a Horse of the Year title. "It's a no-brainer," Frankel said. "He is a very versatile horse, a dream horse, and probably a super horse."Stronach said, "I leave it up to the judges."