Eye Of A Jedi Powers Home In Ghostzapper

HALLANDALE BEACH, FL – Owner/trainer Steve Budhoo’s local hero Eye of a Jedi powered home a strong winner of Saturday’s $100,000 Ghostzapper Stakes (G3) at Gulfstream Park.

Eye of a Jedi broke from post 2 under Javier Castellano as the 4/1 third choice and settled along the rail into the second flight as the field passed under the wire for the first time.

The 6/5 favorite Last Judgment broke quickly from the rail and set off toward the front, where Superfecto hounded him through opening fractions of :23.60, :46.43, and 1:10.15.

Last Judgment finally escaped Superfecto’s grasp by the top of the stretch, but Eye of a Jedi advanced swiftly while cornering and challenged the bettors’ choice in mid-stretch.

Taking command at the 3/16 pole, Eye of a Jedi drew off to win by 5 1/2 lengths, completing the 1 1/8-mile fast dirt route in 1:48.83.

“I’m really excited,” Castellano said. “Steve is a great guy. He works hard. He’s dedicated to every single one of his horses. It’s nice to see good things happen for the little people. They make racing. I’m very lucky to ride this horse and win the race.”

Though unable to hold off the winner, Last Judgment was 2 1/4 lengths ahead of Superfecto.

Completing the strung-out order of finish came War Stopper, Just Whistle, King Slew, and Violent City.

Eye of a Jedi’s win was his first at the graded stakes level and improved his overall record to 32-6-6-6, with 5 of those victories coming over the local ground. The 6-year-old Eye of the Leopard gelding, purchased for just $1,500 as a yearling has now bankrolled $355,778.

“I love to train him for this track because he loves this track,” Budhoo said. “The good thing is he’s sound. He’s a very good horse.”

Eye of a Jedi returned $10.40 to win, $4.20 to place, and $2.80 to show. Last Judgment brought back $3 to place and $2.40 to show. Superfecto paid $3.20 to show.