Ghost Is Clear back on favored ground for Forego Stakes
RACE REPLAY IS NOT AVAILABLE
Location is among the most important variables in real estate, and it quite often can prove as important an element in horse racing. Case in point: Saturday’s $60,000 Forego Stakes, where Ghost Is Clear is a clear-cut favorite in great part because the race is being run at Turfway Park.
Ghost Is Clear has won three races from four starts at the track, all over its synthetic Polytrack surface. His only loss at Turfway, coming in this race last year, was a second-place finish in which he was beaten a neck.
“It was bad luck to not win this race last year,” said trainer Mike Maker, who co-owns Ghost Is Clear, a 7-year-old gelded son of Ghostzapper, with Jana Wagner.
Last year in the Forego, Ghost Is Clear challenged from midpack but fell a neck short after drifting and bumping in the lane.
Further working in his favor is the 6 1/2-furlong distance of the Forego, a distance at which he has never been worse than second in nine starts.
Alejandro Contreras rides Ghost Is Clear, the 2-1 morning-line favorite in a full field of 12 that also has a pair of also-eligibles.
KEY CONTENDERS
Ghost Is Clear (Last 3 Beyers: 94-82-76)
◗ In addition to his fine record at Turfway, he has consistently run quickly over its Polytrack. His four starts on it have resulted in Beyer Speed Figures of 89, 95, 96, and 94.
◗ He is a three-time stakes winner and an earner of $418,250, and his earnings of $150,313 in 2014 was easily the most of any horse in the field.
Pataky Kid (Last 3 Beyers: 92-90-64)
◗ He recorded a win and a second-place finish in two starts during the fall meet at Churchill Downs, and he is a stakes winner over the Polytrack at Arlington Park.
◗ Although unraced at Turfway, he worked a bullet five furlongs in 59.40 seconds Jan. 6 in preparation for the Forego.
Jasizzle (Last 3 Beyers: 89-93-87)
◗ He faces easier company after chasing Delaunay and Heitai when fourth in the off-the-turf Bonapaw Stakes in the mud at Fair Grounds on Jan. 3.
◗ Although in good form and proven on Polytrack, he has tired going 6 1/2 furlongs in two prior races at the distance, going unplaced both times. He was fourth in the 2014 Forego.