2022 Blue Grass Winner Zandon Returns at Aqueduct

Jeff Drown's Zandon , unraced since running fourth in the Dec. 3 Cigar Mile Handicap (G1) and winless since taking the Blue Grass Stakes (G1) a year ago at Keeneland, returns April 29 in an $84,000 allowance optional claiming race at Aqueduct Racetrack.

The 4-year-old son of Upstart   is the 4-5 favorite in the eighth race, a one-mile dirt race, in which he faces eight rivals. Flavien Prat, who rode him to win the 2022 Blue Grass, is aboard for trainer Chad Brown.

Though Zandon did not win in his closing five starts of last year, he twice ran second, twice was third, and was fourth in the aforementioned Cigar Mile—beaten 2 1/2 lengths when facing older horses over a sloppy track at Aqueduct.

Over the course of the year, the eventual 3-year-old champion male Epicenter was victorious over him in the Risen Star Stakes (G2), Jim Dandy Stakes (G2), and Travers Stakes (G1). He also turned Zandon aside in midstretch in the Kentucky Derby (G1), though Rich Strike  would run them both down in the closing yards for a historic upset. Epicenter was second in the Derby and Zandon third.

Zandon, an earner of more than $1.4 million, has breezed at Payson Park and Belmont Park toward his comeback.

Heading Saturday's opposition is Prince Sultan Bin Mishal Al Saud's stakes-winning High Connection , a fellow comebacker who makes his first start for Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher.