BC Sprint Runner-Up C Z Rocket Kicks Off '23 at Oaklawn

C Z Rocket  returns to action for the first time since his runner-up finish in the Nov. 5 Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) at Keeneland against six rivals in a $108,000 allowance race Feb. 17 at Oaklawn Park.

The six-furlong race, the day's eighth on the card, also includes stakes winners Necker Island , Rotknee , and Morello , the latter a grade 3 winner.

None of them are as accomplished as C Z Rocket, a five-time stakes winner with a 12-for-35 record and earnings of more than $1.95 million. Two of his black-type victories have come in grade 2 events, though losing performances in grade 1 action have similarly garnered him attention.

Besides his runner-up finish to champion Elite Power  in last year's Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1), he was also second to champion Whitmore  in the same race at Keeneland in 2020.

Now 9, the gelded son of City Zip  has recorded two consecutive bullet workouts this month at San Luis Rey Training Center in Southern California for trainer Peter Miller, who also has a smaller division of runners at Oaklawn.

Ricardo Santana Jr. picks up the ride on late-running C Z Rocket, who has won twice in seven starts at Oaklawn, taking the Hot Spring Stakes and the Count Fleet Sprint Handicap (G3) at the Arkansas oval in 2021. He currently races for owners Altamira Racing Stable, Madaket Stables, Gary Barber, and Tom Kagele.