Ghostzapper retired due to injury

By: SPORTS NETWORK

New York, NY (Sports Network) - Ghostzapper, who ran away with the

 Metropolitan Handicap two weeks ago, was retired Monday because of a hairline

 fracture in his left front ankle.

Ghostzapper's injury was discovered after he won the Metropolitan Handicap by

 6 1/4 lengths on May 30. It is a minor injury that did not show up on X-rays.

However, a nuclear scan revealed a "hot spot" around the horse's sesamoid -- two

 small bones located above and at the back of the ankle.

The 5-year-old Ghostzapper, who is a son of Awesome Again, will retire to stud

at owner Frank Stronach's Adena Springs stables in Kentucky. He racked of nine

victories in 11 starts over his career and amassed more than $3.4 million.

His biggest wins included the Breeders' Cup and the Vosburgh Stakes. He beat out

Smarty Jones for 2004 Horse of the Year last year.