Glacken’s Ghost likes longer runs

HOT SPRINGS — Two turns are apparently the way to go.

Glacken’s Ghost followed up a second-place finish in a 6-furlong stakes attempt with a stretch-long charge to victory in the $100,000 1 1/16-mile Arkansas Breeders’ Stakes for Arkansas-bred horses 3 years old and up at Oaklawn Park on Saturday.

Glacken’s Ghost, a son of Smoke Glacken ridden by Alex Canchari and trained by Mac Robertson, won by 2¼ lengths over second-place Chantmeupbaby, ridden by Joe Johnson, in 1:47.05 before an estimated crowd of 20,000. Racer finished third under Jon Court, three quarters of a length behind Chantmeupbaby.

Glacken’s Ghost, the 2-1 morning-line Arkansas Breeders’ favorite, won a 1 1/16-mile optional-claiming race against Arkansas breds at Oaklawn on Feb. 15 before Robertson cut him back to a 6-furlong sprint March 3. He finished second in the Nodouble Breeders’ Stakes to 18-1 shot J.E.’s Handmedown.

Glacken’s Ghost was fifth, off the lead of Primarily Gold through the first quarter in 23.28. Primarily Gold led through the half in 47.65 and three quarters in 1:13.27, as Glacken’s Ghost worked his way forward until he took the lead at the top of the stretch, a head in front of Chantmeupbaby.

Glacken’s Ghost gradually built on his lead to the wire.

“He ran awfully well in his other two-turn race,” Robertson said. “We’ve trained him pretty hard for this race to try to win it.”

“He was just a really nice horse,” Canchari said. “He puts his head down and he runs in dirt, off of the dirt, it doesn’t matter. You can put him wherever, on the lead or behind the other horses. He just does whatever you ask him to. I am lucky to get to ride a horse like that.”

Robertson said he was pleased by Canchari’s effort.

“The horse is tough to ride,” Robertson said. “He really likes Alex, and Alex likes him. I thought it was a really good ride.”