Ghostzapper to Make Return

Ghostzapper, the reigning horse of the year, will make his first start since winning the Breeders’ Cup Classic on Oct. 30 in today’s $750,000 Metropolitan Handicap at Belmont Park.

Owned by Frank Stronach and trained by Bobby Frankel, Ghostzapper, a 5-year-old son of Awesome Again, has five opponents in the Grade I at a flat mile, and he will be a very short price to win for the ninth time in 11 starts. Forest Danger, who has won five of six, is the most likely candidate for an upset.

Race of the day: Hollywood Park’s fifth is only a maiden race for $40,000 California-breds, but the contest will get plenty of attention today because it is the first leg of a pick six with a guaranteed pool of $1 million. Contenders in the six-furlong sprint include Johnny Ice, Colombini and American Prophecy.

One for the road: Cut Short won cleverly in her U.S. debut for trainer Christophe Clement and can win right back in today’s eighth at Belmont.

Exotically speaking: A late pick four using Tricky Day in the seventh; Nadeszhda, Miss Terrible and the Mea Domina entry in the eighth; Guidebook, Miss Thirtyfour D and Clickety Cat in the ninth; and Boston Gold, Lady Ruthie and Lyndee’s Pearl in the 10th.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 3/71. Money: Previous day/meet total: $197.40/$358.80. Total money bet: $466.