Ghostzapper Stakes

Ghostzapper Stakes

Class	Grade III
Location	Gulfstream Park Hallandale Beach, Florida
Inaugurated	1985 (as Creme Fraiche Stakes)
Race type	Thoroughbred - Flat racing
Website	www.gulfstreampark.com
Race information
Distance	1+1⁄16 miles
Surface	Dirt
Track	left-handed
Qualification	Four-years-old and older
Weight	124 lbs with allowances
Purse	$150,000 (since 2023)

The Ghostzapper Stakes is a Grade III American Thoroughbred horse race for four-years-old and older at a distance of one and one-sixteenth miles on the dirt run annually in March at Gulfstream Park located in Hallandale Beach, Florida. The event currently offers a purse of $150,000.

History

The inaugural running of the event was on 26 April 1990 as the Creme Fraiche Stakes over a distance of 7 furlongs and was won by Big Sal ridden US Hall of Fame jockey Earlie Fires by who led all the way in a time of 1:244⁄5 ^[1]

The event was named in honor of the 1985 Belmont Stakes winner, Creme Fraiche who also won Grade I Donn Handicap and W.L. McKnight Handicap at Gulfstream Park. ^[2]

The following year, 1991 the event's conditions were changed to a handicap and the distance extended to 1+1⁄16 miles. ^[3]

In 1993 the American Graded Stakes Committee upgraded the race to Grade III. ^[3]

In 2003 the event was renamed to the Hal's Hope Handicap after the Florida-bred Hal's Hope who had won the event in 2002 and who also won the 2000 Grade I Florida Derby, 2000 Holy Bull Stakes and the 2002 Grade I Gulfstream Park Handicap. ^[4]

In 2005 the distance of the event was extended to 1+1⁄8 miles ^[5] but after two runnings the distance was decreased to one mile. ^[3]

In 2009 the conditions of the event were changed to a stakes allowance which reflected in the modification of the event's name. ^[3]

In 2020 the distance of the event was increased to 1+1⁄8 miles. ^[3]

In 2021 the event was renamed to the owner of Gulfstream Park, Frank Stronach's US Hall of Fame and 2004 US Horse of the Year Champion, Ghostzapper as the Ghostzapper Stakes. ^[6]

In 2023 the distance of the event was decreased from 1+1⁄8 miles to 1+1⁄16 miles. ^[3]

Records

Speed record:

• 1+1⁄8 miles – 1:48.57 Badge of Silver (2005)
• 1+1⁄16 miles – 1:41.49 Geri (1996)
• 1 mile – 1:33.87 Chatain (2007)

Margins:

• 8 lengths – K. J.'s Appeal (1998)

Most wins:

• 2 – Chatain (2007, 2008)
• 2 – Lea (2014, 2015)

Most wins by a jockey:

• 5 - John R. Velazquez (1998, 2010, 2012, 2019, 2024)

Most wins by a trainer:

• 5 - Todd A. Pletcher (2010, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2022)

Most wins by an owner:

• 2 - Lazy F Ranch (2007, 2008)
• 2 - Claiborne Farm & Adele B. Dilschneider (2014, 2015)

Winners

Year	Winner	Age	Jockey	Trainer	Owner	Distance	Time	Purse	Grade	Ref
Ghostzapper Stakes
2025	White Abarrio	6	Irad Ortiz Jr.	Saffie A. Joseph Jr.	C2 Racing Stable LLC, Gary Barber an La Milagrosa Stable LLC	1+1⁄16 miles	1:41.97	$165,000	III	[7]
2024	Il Miracolo	4	John R. Velazquez	Antonio Sano	Alexandres	1+1⁄16 miles	1:43.79	$150,000	III	[8]
2023	Clapton	4	Emisael Jaramillo	Juan Alvarado	Arindel	1+1⁄16 miles	1:42.94	$180,000	III	[9]
2022	Fearless	6	Luis Saez	Todd A. Pletcher	Repole Stable	1+1⁄8 miles	1:50.03	$100,000	III	[10]
2021	Eye of a Jedi	6	Javier Castellano	Steve Budhoo	Steve Budhoo	1+1⁄8 miles	1:48.83	$100,000	III	[11]
Hal's Hope Stakes
2020	Identifier	4	Marcos Meneses	Oscar M. Gonzalez	Gelfenstein Farm	1+1⁄8 miles	1:50.25	$100,000	III	[12]
2019	Prince Lucky	4	John R. Velazquez	Todd A. Pletcher	Daniel W. McConnell Sr.	1 mile	1:34.84	$100,000	III	[13]
2018	Economic Model	5	Irad Ortiz Jr.	Chad C. Brown	Klaravich Stables & William H. Lawrence	1 mile	1:36.50	$100,000	III	[14]
2017	Tommy Macho	5	Luis Saez	Todd A. Pletcher	Paul P. Pompa Jr. & J Stables	1 mile	1:35.20	$150,000	III	[15]
2016	Mshawish	6	Javier Castellano	Todd A. Pletcher	Al Shaqab Racing	1 mile	1:34.61	$150,000	III	[16]
2015	Lea	6	Joel Rosario	William I. Mott	Claiborne Farm & Adele B. Dilschneider	1 mile	1:35.46	$150,000	III	[17]
2014	Lea	5	Luis Saez	William I. Mott	Claiborne Farm & Adele B. Dilschneider	1 mile	1:35.30	$100,000	III	[18]
2013	Csaba	4	Luis Saez	Philip A. Gleaves	Bruce Hollander & Cary Shapoff	1 mile	1:35.69	$100,000	III	[19]
2012	Jackson Bend	5	John R. Velazquez	Nicholas P. Zito	Robert V. LaPenta & Fred J. Brei	1 mile	1:38.19	$100,000	III	[20]
2011	Soaring Empire	4	Jose Lezcano	Cam Gambolati	Ol Memorial Stable & C. E. Glasscock	1 mile	1:35.99	$100,000	III	[21]
2010	Quality Road	4	John R. Velazquez	Todd A. Pletcher	Edward P. Evans	1 mile	1:36.33	$100,000	III	[22]
2009	Delightful Kiss	5	Calvin H. Borel	Pete D. Anderson	Hobeau Farm	1 mile	1:36.13	$100,000	III	[23]
Hal's Hope Handicap
2008	Chatain	5	Cornelio Velasquez	Angel A. Penna Jr.	Lazy F Ranch	1 mile	1:36.39	$100,000	III	[24]
2007	Chatain	4	Cornelio Velasquez	Angel A. Penna Jr.	Lazy F Ranch	1 mile	1:33.87	$100,000	III	[25]
2006	On Thin Ice	5	Shaun Bridgmohan	Joe Orseno	D. J. Stable	1+1⁄8 miles	1:48.05	$100,000	III	[26]
2005	Badge of Silver	5	Jerry D. Bailey	Robert J. Frankel	Kenneth L. and Sarah K. Ramsey	1+1⁄8 miles	1:48.57	$100,000	III	[27]
2004	Puzzlement	5	Jorge F. Chavez	H. Allen Jerkens	Joseph V. Shields Jr.	1+1⁄16 miles	1:42.39	$100,000	III	[28]
2003	Windsor Castle	5	Eibar Coa	Frank A. Alexander	Dogwood Stable	1+1⁄16 miles	1:42.33	$100,000	III	[29]
Creme Fraiche Handicap
2002	Hal's Hope	5	Roger I. Velez	Harold J. Rose	Rose Family Stable	1+1⁄16 miles	1:42.40	$100,000	III	[30]
2001	Race not held
2000	Dancing Guy	5	Jerry D. Bailey	Newcomb Green	Frances Green	1+1⁄16 miles	1:44.94	$75,000	III	[31]
1999	Jazz Club	4	Pat Day	Neil J. Howard	William S. Farish & Joseph Jamail	1+1⁄16 miles	1:42.76	$75,000	III	[32]
1998	K. J.'s Appeal	4	John R. Velazquez	Frank A. Alexander	Releib Stable	1+1⁄16 miles	1:42.34	$75,000	III	[33]
1997	Louis Quatorze	4	Pat Day	Nicholas P. Zito	William J. Condren, Georgia E. Hofmann & Joseph Cornacchia	1+1⁄16 miles	1:43.43	$75,000	III	[34]
1996	Geri	4	Jerry D. Bailey	William I. Mott	Allen E. Paulson	1+1⁄16 miles	1:41.49	$75,000	III	[35]
1995	Warm Wayne	4	Jerry D. Bailey	Reynaldo H. Nobles	Due Process Stables	1+1⁄16 miles	1:43.11	$75,000	III	[36]
1994	Forever Whirl	4	Herb McCauley	Martin D. Wolfson	Irving Ellis & Alan Reskin	1+1⁄16 miles	1:41.81	$75,000	III	[37]
1993	Classic Seven	5	Carlos E. Lopez Sr.	Thomas M. Cairns	Thomas M. Cairns & John O. Berry	1+1⁄16 miles	1:43.49	$100,000	III	[38]
1992	Peanut Butter Onit	6	Jose A. Santos	Frank J. Lange	Elaine J Meltzer	1+1⁄16 miles	1:43.78	$75,000	Listed	[39]
1991	New York Swell	8	Jose O. Alferez	Lawrence W. Jennings Jr.	Ballet Stable	1+1⁄16 miles	1:42.50	$75,000	Listed	[40]
Creme Fraiche Stakes
1990	Big Sal	5	Earlie Fires	Cam Gambolati	Sarkisian & Tierney	7 furlongs	1:24.80	$33,900		[1]

See also

• List of American and Canadian Graded races

References

1. "Big Sal wins Creme Fraiche Stakes – (race 9: held 26 April 1990)". Tampa Bay Times . The Associated Press. 27 April 1990. p. 35. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
2. "CREME FRAICHE (USA) b. G, 1982 - 64 Starts, 17 Wins, 12 Places, 13 Shows Career Earnings: $4,024,727". Thoroughbred Database. 2021. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
3. "Hal's Hope Stakes (Gr. 3)". www.equibase.com. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
4. "HALS HOPE (USA) dkb/br. H, 1997 - 33 Starts, 9 Wins, 5 Places, 2 Shows Career Earnings: $1,098,422". Thoroughbred Database. 2021. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
5. "HALS HOPE STAKES - GULFSTREAM PARK, FL". Thoroughbred Database. 2021. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
6. "Gulfstream Condition Book #2". Gulfstream Park. equibase.com. 2021. p. 29. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
7. "2025 Ghostzapper Stakes presented by FanDuel Grade 3 - (Race 7)". Equibase. 29 March 2025. Retrieved 15 February 2026.
8. "2024 Ghostzapper Stakes Grade 3 - (race 7)". Equibase. 30 March 2024. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
9. "2023 Ghostzapper Stakes Grade 3 - (race 7)". Equibase. 1 April 2023. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
10. "2022 Ghostzapper Stakes Grade 3 - (race 6)". Equibase. 2 April 2022. Retrieved 2 April 2022.
11. "2021 Ghostzapper Stakes Grade 3 - (race 8)". Equibase. 27 March 2021. Retrieved 30 March 2021.
12. "2020 Hal's Hope Stakes Grade 3 - (race 6)". Equibase. 28 March 2020. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
13. "2019 Hal's Hope Stakes Grade 3 - (race 11)". Equibase. 23 February 2019. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
14. "2018 Hal's Hope Stakes Grade 3 - (race 12)". Equibase. 24 February 2018. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
15. "2017 Hal's Hope Stakes Grade 3 - (race 11)". Equibase. 14 January 2017. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
16. "2016 Hal's Hope Stakes Grade 3 - (race 7)". Equibase. 9 January 2016. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
17. "2015 Hal's Hope Stakes Grade 3 - (race 7)". Equibase. 10 January 2015. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
18. "2014 Hal's Hope Stakes Grade 3 - (race 10)". Equibase. 11 January 2014. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
19. "2013 Hal's Hope Stakes Grade 3 - (race 10)". Equibase. 13 January 2013. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
20. "2012 Hal's Hope Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 14 January 2012. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
21. "2011 Hal's Hope Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 8 January 2011. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
22. "2010 Hal's Hope Stakes Grade 3 - (race 8)". Equibase. 3 January 2010. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
23. "2009 Hal's Hope Stakes Grade 3 - (race 8)". Equibase. 3 January 2009. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
24. "2008 Hal's Hope Handicap Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 6 January 2008. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
25. "2007 Hal's Hope Handicap Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 6 January 2007. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
26. "2006 Hal's Hope Handicap Grade 3 - (race 5)". Equibase. 7 January 2006. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
27. "2005 Hal's Hope Handicap Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 8 January 2005. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
28. "2004 Hal's Hope Handicap Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 3 January 2004. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
29. "2003 Hal's Hope Handicap Grade 3 - (race 10)". Equibase. 11 January 2003. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
30. "2002 Creme Fraiche Handicap Grade 3 - (race 10)". Equibase. 10 March 2002. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
31. "2000 Creme Fraiche Handicap Grade 3 - (race 11)". Equibase. 11 March 2000. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
32. "1999 Creme Fraiche Handicap Grade 3 - (race 10)". Equibase. 13 March 1999. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
33. "1998 Creme Fraiche Handicap Grade 3 - (race 11)". Equibase. 14 March 1998. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
34. "1997 Creme Fraiche Handicap Grade 3 - (race 4)". Equibase. 15 March 1997. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
35. "1996 Creme Fraiche Handicap Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 16 March 1996. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
36. "1995 Creme Fraiche Handicap Grade 3 - (race 8)". Equibase. 11 March 1995. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
37. "1994 Creme Fraiche Handicap Grade 3 - (race 6)". Equibase. 12 March 1994. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
38. "1993 Creme Fraiche Handicap Grade 3 - (race 10)". Equibase. 28 March 1993. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
39. "1992 Creme Fraiche Handicap Listed - (race 10)". Equibase. 18 January 1992. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
40. "1991 Creme Fraiche Handicap Listed - (race 10)". Equibase. 26 January 1991. Retrieved 11 March 2021.