Off Since Derby, Zozos Returns Dec. 17 at Fair Grounds

Zozos , out of action since a 10th-place finish in the May 7 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) at Churchill Downs, returns Dec. 17 in the eighth race at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, a second-level allowance optional claimer.

The Barry and Joni Butzow-owned Munnings   3-year-old chased a taxing pace in the Derby, and though he weakened to lose by 15 3/4 lengths, he performed the best of any horse that was near the lead. Other frontrunners finished lengths behind him, fatigued from the race's blistering fractions.

Before the Derby, he was second to Epicenter   in the Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby (G2), an effort preceded by two wins in as many starts in maiden and allowance optional claiming races for trainer Brad Cox.

With Corey Lanerie aboard, Zozos is the 6-5 morning-line favorite in Saturday's 1 1/16-mile dirt contest, drawn in post 2 in a race that has 12 horses in the body of the race, plus one also-eligible.

"He's been doing great training up to this," assistant trainer Ricky Giannini said. "The field came up salty. Going one mile and sixteenth for his first start after seven or so months off will be a test."

Zozos has six published works leading up to his return, four of which were a half-mile or longer. He breezed four furlongs in :49 Dec. 10 at Fair Grounds in his final tune-up.