BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. - Ghostzapper will be looking for the trifecta at the Eclipse Awards.

The Breeders’ Cup Classic winner, Ghostzapper has a chance to become the first horse in 24 years to win three Eclipse Awards in the same year Monday.

On a night where awards will be given out in 15 categories, Ghostzapper is in the running for older male and top sprinter. Finalists were not announced for Horse of the Year, but Ghostzapper will contend with Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Smarty Jones, who has been retired.

John Henry won three Eclipse Awards in 1981, getting honored as Horse of the Year, older male horse and older turf horse. Secretariat (1973) and Forego (1974) also were single-season, three-time Eclipse winners.

Ghostzapper capped an unbeaten year in October, leading wire-to-wire in a three-length victory in the $4 million Breeders’ Cup Classic at Lone Star Park.  Ghostzapper won all four of his races last year.

After falling just shy of becoming the first Triple Crown winner since 1978 when he was edged by Birdstone in the Belmont Stakes, Smarty Jones is a finalist for top 3-year-old male. Birdstone and Kitten’s Joy also are finalists.

Kitten’s Joy also is the favorite to win the Eclipse for top male turf horse.  Better Talk Now, which upset Kitten’s Joy at the Breeders’ Cup turf, and Singletary also are finalists.

Ouija Board, who rolled to an impressive win in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Turf Mare, is a finalist for 3-year-old female horse and for female turf horse.

Azeri, Sightseek and Storm Flag Flying are the finalists in the older female category.

Steve Asmussen, who set a single-season record with 555 wins, is among the finalists for top trainer.  He is a finalist along with Todd Pletcher and Bobby Frankel, who has won the award the last four years.  Frankel trains Ghostzapper.

John Velazquez, Edgar Prado and Rafael Bejarano are the finalists for top jockey.

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