Barry and Joni Butzow's Zozos, the speedy winner of the $175,000 Knicks Go Overnight Stakes on Kentucky Derby Day, was entered to face eight rivals in Sunday's 68th running of the $275,000 Hanshin Stakes presented by the JRA (Listed) at Ellis Park Racing & Gaming.
The one-mile Hanshin Stakes is one of five stakes contests on the Sunday program that will offer mandatory payouts in all exotic wagers. First post Sunday is 11:45 a.m. (all times Central) and the Hanshin will go as Race 9 of 10 at 3:55 p.m. Along with the Hanshin, the other stakes events on the card are the $225,000 Bashford Manor (Listed), the $225,000 Debutante (Listed), the $175,000 Anchorage Overnight Stakes and the $175,000 Maxfield Overnight Stakes.
Zozos is an alumni of the 2022 Kentucky Derby where he finished 10th behind Rich Strike. Trained by Brad Cox, Zozos qualified for Kentucky Derby 148 with a runner-up finish to Epicenter in the Louisiana Derby (G2). As a 4-year-old, the son of Munnings only has three starts but sports two victories in a conditioned allowance event at Fair Grounds and the Knicks Go Overnight Stakes. Jockey Florent Geroux will retain the mount and break from the rail.
Another accomplished horse entered in the Hanshin is David Miller, Eric Grindley and John Werner's Three Technique. Campaigned by Jason Cook, Three Technique was victorious in the 2022 Knicks Go Overnight Stakes at Churchill Downs. The son of Mr Speaker finished a long neck behind Cody's Wish in last year's Hanshin. In his most recent start, Three Technique bested six rivals in an allowance event at Churchill Downs. Regular rider Rafael Bejarano will be in the irons from post No. 8.
Rigney Racing's improving gelding Warrior Johny will attempt to nab his first stakes score in the Hanshin. Trained by Phil Bauer, Warrior Johny dominated a 7 ½-furlong allowance contest in his last start at Churchill Downs. Junior Alvarado will retain the mount and break from post 3.
Here is the complete field for the Hanshin Stakes from the rail out (with jockey and trainer):
1. Zozos (Geroux, Cox)
2. Strava (Brian Hernandez Jr., Dallas Stewart)
3. Warrior Johny (Alvarado, Bauer)
4. Tartufo (Gabriel Saez, Carlo Vaccarezza)
5. War Campaign (Corey Lanerie, Phil Sims)
6. Seize the Night (Cristian Torres, Wayne Lukas)
7. Collaborate (Luis Saez, Mike Maker)
8. Three Technique (Bejarano, Cook)
9. Santin (Tyler Gaffalione, Brendan Walsh)
Fans can watch and wager on all the action from Ellis Park on www.TwinSpires.com, the official wagering provider of Churchill Downs Incorporated. Featured on the Ellis Park simulcast signal on Twin Spires are expert handicappers Joe Kristufek, Scott Shapiro and Kaitlin Free.
FanDuel will offer live on-site coverage Friday-Sunday at Ellis Park. Fans can also watch the action on the FanDuel+ app on smart devices.
Sunday will close out the portion of the Ellis Park meet where the dates were transferred from Churchill Downs. The traditional Ellis meeting will begin Friday, July 7. For more information about racing and gaming from Ellis Park, visit www.ellisparkracing.com.
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