Ghostly Thunder a legit favorite

Ghostly Thunder, who trounced six rivals in the Tri-State Futurity as the 1-2 favorite three weeks ago, should be an equally short price in the $50,000 West Virginia Futurity at Charles Town.

In his first start beyond 4 1/2 furlongs, the Maryland-based Ghostly Thunder cruised by 10 1/2 lengths in the seven-furlong Tri-State Futurity, earning a 78 Beyer Speed Figure that's nearly 20 points better than anyone else in Saturday night's field has ever run.

The only two-time winner in the field, Ghostly Thunder will be giving up seven pounds to his seven opponents in the seven-furlong stakes as the 122-pound highweight.

Henry the Lover won his maiden by more than nine lengths last time out going seven furlongs, but would have to run considerably faster to threaten Ghostly Thunder. Henry the Lover will be racing on Lasix for the first time and has room to improve in the second start of his form cycle and just his third race lifetime.