Ghostzapper - A Powerful Inspiration

By the time I got involved with horse racing (in 2010), Ghostzapper (BC classic winner 2004, Horse of the year 04) had already retired from racing and has been active in stud duty. Once I discovered this champion, he has quickly risen to be the most inspiring athlete for me.

I have loved watching every one of his races and here I would like to share a few of the gems. From the fast closing victory in the Grade 1 Vosburgh...

to the tantalizing stretch battle with Saint Liam in the mile and 1/8th at the Gr I Woodward

to the absolutely sensational Breeder's Cup Classic (track record and stakes record) where he blows away a very talented field, Ghostzapper has always delivered, in style. The video below has extended post race coverage and trophy presentation included.

In 2005, he came back in the Gr 1 Metropolitan Handicap (Met Mile) to outclass competition.

He has definitely been one of the fantastic horses to be trained by Robert Frankel (aka Bobby Frankel) who has been immortalized by an unbeaten thoroughbred champion Frankel, in England. I almost forgot to add his superbly run Tom Fool Handicap which was run at a breakneck pace! 

Update

Recently I discovered some very interesting videos of Ghostzapper, hosted on Adena Springs (his owners' page). Titled, the "Ghost Series (opens in new window)", it conveys this champ's history with a new perspective of stories told around a campfire.

Movie about Barbaro (2006 Kentucky Derby Winner)

Here is a movie on vimeo about the 2006 Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro (a Dynaformer colt). Rest in peace Barbaro. Two weeks after the Derby, Barbaro injured his leg running in the Preakness and after several months of struggle, finally left this earth. His story is chronicled in this HBO movie.

Barbaro (HBO 2006) from Morrealefilms on Vimeo.

Special credit goes to from Morrealefilms PLUS  for uploading this! 

First foals from many stakes winners

Many wonderful (horsey) athletes who went to stud last year have been working and covering mares and the results are just coming in! Here are some that I wanted to share.

This week I have seen a spate of foals being reported from Union Rags, Astrology (my 1st bet ever- Preakness)

1. Union Rags - Belmont 2012 winner. http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/82947/union-rags-first-foal-is-a-colt

2. Astrolgy - Iroqouois winner 2010 and Preakness 3rd 2011. http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/82942/first-foal-for-graded-stakes-winner-astrology

3. I''ll Have Another (Santa Anita Derby, K Derby, Preakness 2012) has his first foal  http://goo.gl/GShPs7  (links to https://www.facebook.com/BIGREDFARM photo of "Big red farm" in Japan.

4. Also this horse named Frankel had a foal (just kidding, Frankel is the real superhorse with an undefeated career)
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/82832/first-frankel-foal-arrives-at-coolmore

5. To Honor and Serve (had a filly): http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/82766/to-honor-and-serves-first-foal-is-a-filly

I remember that Tapizar, Dialed In and Stay Thirsty also had first foals recently so I just wanted to acknowledge some of the new beginnings :) The links above may be mostly first foals for all these guys who I have followed, but feel free to share any others you like! It is always good to learn about pedigree crossings.

Horses with a sense of humor

Check this out this budweiser commercial which is more about horses and snow and fun than their main product! original post is by https://www.facebook.com/RonBoat

Post reshared by by Spicetruck.

Save and Make Money- Cyber Monday Only Special

I had the talk about Black Friday and no spending with my friends, well at least no crazed spending on Thursday 8pm onward.. till Friday 8pm and it worked. There was a lot of positive response, rest and family time for all who took the pledge. 

But now how about taking it a step further: Cyber Monday and saving? 
Open your own checking and savings account, park approx $500 for 120 days with Capitalone360 (formerly INGDirect) and you will get some sweet bonuses of up to $ 200 combined from those two accounts.

You do need to make five small purchases with your checking card so deposit enough in your checking account for those five packets of gum! 

Get more bonuses if you have a kid or kids, open an account for your kid - a custodial account and get a $100 bonus per kid. For Saving! ‪#‎Saving‬ not spending!

Here is the spiel from the email I got!
Today only, open a Capital One® ShareBuilder® Custodial account with promo code GIFTSTOCK13
By Dec. 31, 2013, make just one trade or automatic investment
Bingo! You've earned a $100 bonus to help get that kid off to a good start.

Click and Save: https://r.capitalone360.com/DDviKmindW

HOW I DID IT

I have benefited from opening free account with Capitalone360 during CyberMonday and made roughly $150 in bonuses for parking about $400 in two accounts. Eventually, I have removed the money and those accounts have only about $10 in them, but are still free and secure.

If you are up for it, check out this post and if you open (online today) you may have to send them a copy of your license by phone photo upload and deposit some money ($500 in savings) and probably 40-50 in checking. Then once your checking card arrives, make 5 careful small purchases and after that lock up your checking card. Then wait 4 months and your bonus will be in both accounts, probably sooner in one of the accounts. Enjoy!

Disclaimers: Trademarks belong to respective owners. We do receive small referral bonuses if you sign up and meet conditions. We are not compensated in any other way. Conditions accurate as of posting, we are not responsible for changes in terms by the issuing banks. Happy Saving!