Shaman Ghost Wins Third Straight in Marine
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Stronach Stables' Shaman Ghost became a graded stakes winner when he upset the $150,000 Marine Stakes (gr. III) at Woodbine May 16 .
Despite winning his last two starts, Shaman Ghost was sent off at 13-1 and stormed home under jockey Rafael Hernandez.
Racing near the back of the pack in the nine-horse field, Shaman Ghost rallied on the turn for home under Hernandez, altering course after being blocked at the top of the lane, before finding clear running room to get up in time, running the 1 1/16 miles over Woodbine's Polytrack in 1:43.35.
"As soon as I put him in the clear he did his job," Hernandez said. "He's awesome."
The 3-year-old colt lost the first three starts of his career—racing on Polytrack, dirt, and grass—before trainer Brian Lynch took blinkers off the son of Ghostzapper back in March, and now Shaman Ghost is being pointed for a start in the $1 million Queen's Plate Stakes, the first jewel in Canada's Triple Crown, July 5 at Woodbine. Restricted to Canadian-bred 3-year-olds, the Queen's Plate is run at 1 1/4 miles
"I think he took a step forward today," said Lynch, who trained Malakoff to victory in the 2006 Marine Stakes. "He gave us confidence to try the Plate. We always felt the longer he went the better he'll be."
Longshot Seventhfleethumor got up to finish second, beaten a half-length, with Danish Dynaformer third over U S Marshal.
Jockey David Moran, aboard U S Marshal, claimed foul against Seventhfleethumor for interference in the stretch, but stewards left the order of finish stand.
R U Watchingbud finished fifth and was followed by Bears Personality, Ami's Flatter, Conquest Boogaloo, and Decision Day.
Ami's Flatter, who was sent off as the 3-5 favorite making his first start since finishing third in the March 28 Florida Derby (gr. I) at Gulfstream Park, never threatened.
Shaman Ghost returned $28.30, $10.60, and $6.10. Seventhfleethumor paid $20.40 and $10.40, while Danish Dynaformer delivered $4.40 to show.
Bred by Adena Springs in Ontario, Shaman Ghost is out of the Gilded Time mare Getback Time.
Shaman Ghost has now won three of six starts with earnings of $134,431.