Zozos Splashes to Hanshin Victory
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Photo: Coady Photography
Zozos surges through the rain to win the Hanshin Stakes at Ellis Park
The Kentucky Derby (G1) is a grueling test for any horse, and the 1 1/4-mile classic has been the downfall of many a promising 3-year-old, some of which may never run again, never mind winning. Fourteen months after his start in the 2022 Kentucky Derby, Zozos is still running—and winning.
A homebred for Barry and Joni Butzow, the colt named after his owner's favorite restaurant in the Virgin Islands skipped over the Ellis Park slop to his third straight victory in the July 2 $275,000 Hanshin Stakes.
The 4-year-old son of Munnings was one of three Kentucky Derby entrants last year for trainer Brad Cox along with Cyberknife and Tawny Port . With Zozos' Hanshin victory, now all three of them have posted stakes wins following the Derby.
"Cyberknife came back and won the Haskell and nearly won the Breeders' Cup (Dirt Mile), Tawny Port won the Ohio Derby and now this horse as a 4-year-old," Cox said. "All of them came back and redeemed themselves. There's totally life after the Kentucky Derby. They all need breaks at some point and when they're asking for it, you just have to give it to them."
Given a seven-month freshening after the Run for the Roses, Zozos has returned to racing with a vengeance, capturing four of his last five starts.
"I think it's because of the cutback in distance," Cox said. "His races at Fair Grounds were good but now I think we're seeing a horse that can step up and hopefully not only be competitive at the graded level but be a winner."
Racing on a sloppy track was an unknown factor for Zozos, the heavy favorite in the Hanshin, but that concern that quickly became irrelevant as the colt sailed through the mud leaving the gates. Splashing his way on the lead amidst a driving rainstorm, Zozos set a lively tempo of :23.11, :45.92, and 1:10.30.
Jockey Florent Geroux set Zozos loose turning for home and he powered to the wire, finishing a widening three lengths in front of his rivals.
Longshot War Campaign , who ran in midpack for a majority of the one-mile journey, secured second over Warrior Johny in third.
Zozos ($3.62) was timed in 1:35.73 over the sloppy (sealed) track. He was flattered a day earlier when Jason Cook trainee Three Technique , third behind Zozos in the May 6 Knicks Go Overnight Stakes, triumphed in the John A. Nerud Stakes (G2) at Belmont Park.
Ryvit, Fast as Flight Land Overnight Stakes
Earlier on the official last day of the Churchill Downs spring/summer meet that was relocated to Ellis, William and Corinne Heiligbrodt's Ryvit stormed to his fifth consecutive win in the $171,100 Maxfield Overnight Stakes.
Ryvit powers home in the Maxfield Overnight Stakes
The Steve Asmussen trainee devoured the muddy track, breaking on top and never looking back en route to a three-length romp in a sharp 1:22.33 for seven furlongs.
Mullikin finished second in his stakes debut while Squire Creek , who chased the leader early, settled for third.
WATCH: Ryvit Splashes Home in the Maxfield Overnight Stakes
Ridden by Cristian Torres, the 3-year-old son of Competitive Edge increased his earnings to $452,604. Scott Blasi, Asmussen's assistant, indicated the colt could resurface this summer at Saratoga Race Course.
When 1-5 favorite White Frost missed the break in the $172,400 Anchorage Overnight Stakes, Jim and Susan Hill's Fast as Flight seized the advantage, driving clear for her first stakes score.
Fast as Flight takes the Anchorage Overnight Stakes
The Anchorage was the third stakes win the day for jockey Luis Saez, who had earlier notched the Bashford Manor with The Wine Steward and the Debutante with Brightwork .
Fast as Flight defeated White Frost by 2 1/4 lengths with Lady Hideaway completing the trifecta.
Trained by Brian Lynch, the 5-year-old daughter of Air Force Blue ran one mile on yielding turf in 1:38.
Video: Anchorage Overnight S. (BT)
Video: Maxfield Overnight S. (BT)