Ghostzapper Rides Again

Ghostzapper, one of the best sprinters in the country, will make his first start of 2004 in today’s $150,000 Tom Fool Handicap at Belmont Park.

Trained by Bobby Frankel for owner Frank Stronach, the 4-year-old Awesome Again colt hasn’t run since winning the Vosburgh Handicap by 6 1/2 lengths Sept. 27 at Belmont.

Absent from the Breeders’ Cup Sprint last fall because Frankel didn’t want to run him at Santa Anita, Ghostzapper has trained well for his return in the Grade II at seven furlongs and he is unbeaten in two races at Belmont.

Before the Vosburgh, he had won an allowance race by a bit more than three lengths June 20.

A winner of four of six in his career, Ghostzapper, will have only four opponents -- Lion Tamer, Eye Of The Tiger, Aggadan and Unforgettable Max -- in the race.

Later in the day, Bayamo will be heavily favored to win his first graded stakes when he meets four others in the $150,000 American Handicap at Hollywood Park.

Owned by Prestonwood Farm and trained by Julio Canani, the 5-year-old gelding was last seen finishing second to Sabiango in the Charlie Whittingham Memorial Handicap on June 12.

Race of the day: Sweet Miss El is one of nine 2-year-old fillies entered in today’s $100,000 Debutante at Churchill Downs.

One for the road: Quies looked good winning at first asking for trainer Barclay Tagg and could come right back in today’s fifth at Belmont with Javier Castellano aboard.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using Broke The Slump and Ama Ray in the third, Lookn East, Lord Fhazio and Studio Time in the fourth and Capitulate in the fifth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 5/133. Money: Previous day/meet total: $27.80/$755.40. Total money bet: $930.