Zappers first two
 

Colt by Dash for Money, filly by Wilzado. The colt hit the ground fri and the filly sun.

Pops, by sires and out of dams. It would be out of Dash for Money and out of Wilzado. I'm looking forward to his runners.

I am too, CHUCK EM OUT!!!!!

Zapper was one of the most talented racehorses ever to set foot on the track. If only he could sire something similar to himself...hey, I can dream right?:D

I was stunned after his awesome performance in the BC Classic '04 at Lone Star Park. I was with Tim Ritchey (Afleet Alex) after the race and he stated "Ghostzapper is a sprinter that can sprint a mile and a quarter."

I agree about his performance

He had 111 matings and I hope we get 111.

amazing. people complain about soundness issues, and then celebrate when one of the poster children for unsoundness breeds 100 that may be just like him...

Nice touch---but, I'd classify him as a true router who was capable of winning top class sprint races with a sensational late burst.

He was badly outpaced in three of his Sprint races, at age three---he found a way to impossibly win two of those...and somehow almost pulled the King's Bishop out as well.

He was always going to be much more effective going a route of ground---as, the slower early paces of route races would greatly suit him, and his stamina was always sensational. In every single one of his sprint wins, it seemed like he wasn't really getting on-track and finiding himself, until about the final 1/16th of the race----he was basically overcoming distances that weren't suited to him in those sprints---and some of those efforts are as much a proof of his greatness, as his route wins that got all the attention. That horse was just sensational.

Where's Oracle on this?

Agree...this is a horse that ran 11 career races. For as good as he was, he averaged less than 4 races a year. I'm sure his kids will be sturdy little punks!! Then I'll let you invest in natural iceberg development in Miami!!

150k now. In 3yrs at least 250k. As good as he was his matings look strong too.

Excellent point. Another reason to buy Mineshaft babies, a horse that could be campaigned.

He started at 300k so they cut him in half after 1 year

I think Ghostzapper is one of the best in the past 15 years. However, I do not think he is going to be all that successful in the shed. Just my opinion is all. I have a feeling he will be down to around $100k in a couple of years. Zapper was unsound and he may or may not pass that trait on. I hope I am wrong because Zapper was sure fun to watch.

he started at 200k. and on his side, they have imprinted 'fragile-handle with care'....

excellent point randall!! i'd go to mineshaft any day over GZ. this is exactly what is wrong with the entire breeding game--the mindset of 'hey, he's fast' and no mention or seeming concern about weaknesses being passed on.

so's the superbowl. and they both happened with almost the same frequency!!

is GZ the type of horse who would be good for the breed in the long run?

NO!!

I think the answer to that question is yet to be decided. I think we have to wait to see how his offspring perform. They may or may not stay sound. Just because Zapper was unsound doesnt mean that his offspring will be unsound as well.

Zapper's dosage just doesn't work. He'll never be a success. *snicker*

So a horse that starts 100 races is better than a horse that runs 11 ?

Too bad Zippy Chippy was gelded he would be a boost to the bloodlines.

Whatever Ghostzapper's soundness problems were they didn't stop him from winning.

All Ghostzapper did was win. 9 of 11

ooh spooky

you're comparing apples to oranges.

there are a lot of fast horses. a lot of talented horses. i just feel the breed would be better off if fast, talented, sound horses were bred. not those that have to be handled with kid gloves.
i'd go to bernardini first--6 of 8. and all eight races in ONE year, astonishing compared to some horses. he almost made it to double digits in a single season.

mineshaft did plenty of winning as well. i'd go to him as well.

Mineshaft

http://horseracing.about.com/cs/bree...ub+new+orleans

The truth of the matter is that almost every single horse running has soundness issues that have to be carefully managed, some obviously more so than others, including the best conformed and the best moving. It's just the nature of this sport. Part of the reason that horse's such as Ghostzapper and Mineshaft had all of these soundness issues were because they are fast. Everything involving a horse can be a correlation to unsoundness including swiftness, way-of-going, conformation, drugs, the training regime, how good the vet, past injuries that weren't related to concussion type injuries, the training surface...etc. Some owners and breeders don't even pay attention to the soundness issues anymore because so many stallions are plagued with them.

The question remains whether or not Ghostzapper will be prepotent enough to pass his unsoundness issues on to his babies (if they are inheritable from poor conformation), or if breeding to a good-moving and well-conformed mare will help improve the soundness issues. I never count any horses babies out until they hit the track. I want to see a large number of them run first.

Nothing personal, really, but methinks this post has a ghostwriter.

Kind of like if a person decides to post as a multiple yet certain things about their writing style always gives them away. Surely I'm not the only one that feels like the following line belongs to another....

" I never count any horses babies out until they hit the track. "

Key word being "similar" and not "exactly alike". ;) GZ sure had an amazing closing kick ('03 Vosburgh = wow!), but I'd be leery of a horse who raced so little. Then again, how the foals will turn out is a crapshoot at this point, so we'll just have to wait til 2009 to see.

it just amazes me how often breeders are criticized for their breeding practices.

but if the horse is fast, why then it's ok. wonder how many who are breathless with anticipation for GZ babies will be disappointed when they are as hardy as their sire.

but there are so many who are unsound? oh, well then by all means continue breeding those who are unsound. that'll improve the situation tremendously. can't wait to see how the breed is doing thirty years from now.

Oh yes, I also post as Canjungator, Manila Rose, and many others. You mean that it took you that long to figure that out already.:rolleyes:

No, but you're not the only one writing the posts under your name here.....and I would bet on that.

Go ahead and bet. I'd like to make some money. That assumption is completely laughable. Someone accused me of being a guy the other day, and now someone is saying that different people post under my username. This is hilarious!

"When one is pushed for time, one writes differently."

Sometimes, I don't have the time to formulate my thoughts and put them on paper as I would like. That is why some of my posts are better than others. It is also the reason that my way of writing differs at times.

The problem would be finding someone to actually take the other side of my bet....as the action on my side is tremendous and I don't like to bet 1:9 shots.

BTW, do you have a crush on Kentuckyrosesinmay?

It seems that way with all the picking on her lately... :p

Forgive me if I'm not moved by the poster who thinks Sperry's and the Old Bryan Inn are the two best restaurants in Saratoga.

Improving your palate could go a long way towards improving your posting.

Ok, now that was a funny post.

Be nice...

lol... that was funny.

What do you have against the OBI? They have some very tasty meals.. so does Sperry's.

I will admit I do not often eat at Sperry's and OBI, I usually prefer a burger and a few cold Labatts at peabody's or parting glass.

I don't like their food....but I do think they are both nice places to have a drink in.

I love your avatar Buffy. That is my favorite movie.

Saratoga in general is a very nice place to have a drink in!

Combine the awesome racing, great atmosphere, night life, and beautiful women, I cannot think of a better place to spend August (and late July..)

OH I cant wait until Saratoga season..

I guess I will just have to put up with South Florida and Gulfstream/Calder until then..

why would anyone have a drink in somewhere when they can be outside enjoying the night? :cool:

I like the Parting Glass' Buffalo Burgers...way better for you than cow.

Mine too now! That man is HOT!

I don't know if he is hot in any other movie, but he sure is hot in that one!