Shaman Ghost Takes on First Stakes in Marine

Stronach Stables' Shaman Ghost will shoot for his first graded stakes victory in the $150,000 Marine Stakes (Can-III) at Woodbine May 16.



After dropping his first three starts to begin his career, Shaman Ghost has now won two in a row, breaking his maiden at Gulfstream Park March 14, before taking an allowance race at Keeneland April 9.



Saturday, the 3-year-old son of Ghostzapper   will try his luck in stakes company for the first time, breaking from post 7 in the 1 1/16-mile contest for 3-year-olds over Woodbine's synthetic surface. Shaman Ghost was bred in Ontario by Stronach's Adena Springs.



Trained by Brian Lynch, Shaman Ghost will be ridden by Rafael Hernandez and will be one of the three starting highweights in the Marine, carrying 119 pounds, along with U S Marshal and Decision Day.



U S Marshal has won two of nine career starts for owners Nancy and Richard Kaster, earning $122,614 in his career. In his previous start, U S Marshal won the Wando Stakes at Woodbine April 19, prevailing by a length under David Moran, who will ride the colt in the Marine Stakes breaking from post 6 for trainer Ian Black.



U S Marshal broke his maiden in his fifth career start at Woodbine Nov. 23, before dropping his next three decisions at Gulfstream. He snapped that losing streak in the Wando.



Last year, the Badge of Silver   colt finished second in the Summer Stakes (Can-II) at Woodbine Sept. 13.



Decision Day enters the Marine having won two of six career starts, including taking the Coronation Futurity at Woodbine Nov. 29. Bred and owned by Donver Stable, Decision Day enters the Marine coming off a disappointing last-place finish in the Wando, when fifth as the even-money favorite.



The colt showed good speed in the Wando before weakening to last.



By the sire Macho Uno  , Decision Day has worked twice since the Wando for trainer Josie Carroll, including an easy four furlong breeze in :47.60 at Woodbine May 10.



The 3-year-old will break from the outside post in the nine-horse field under jockey Jesse M. Campbell.