Zozos leads field of 9 in Hanshin Stakes at Ellis Park

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 listed, $275,000 Hanshin Stakes at Ellis Park.

The one-mile Hanshin Stakes is one of five stakes contests on the Sunday program, which will offer mandatory payouts in all exotic wagers. The Hanshin will go as Race 9 of 10 at 4:55 p.m. EDT.

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 has only 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 Three Technique. Campaigned by Jason Cook, Three Technique was victorious in the 2022 Knicks Go Overnight. 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 1/2-furlong allowance contest in his last start at Churchill Downs. Junior Alvarado will retain the mount and break from post 3.