By Alan Carasso
Sent off the 39-10 second choice behind even-money Barossa (Into Mischief), Barry and Joni Butzow's Zozos (Munnings) sat a tracking trip and shot clear from the market leader to become yet another 'TDN Rising Star' Friday at Oaklawn Park.
Making his first start for Rodolphe Brisset, having previously been trained by Bob Baffert, Barossa–a latest distant third in the GII Los Alamitos Futurity–showed the most early interest, but Florent Geroux aboard Zozos would not allow that rival to steal away on an easy lead. Held right at Barossa's flank, Zozos was switched off nicely through a half in :48.92 and gained inches on the front-runner without being asked on the turn. Asked to win his race at the quarter pole, Zozos displayed a dazzling turn of foot to blow the race wide open, covering his final 2 1/2 furlongs in a very sharp :30.15 seconds, with a final sixteenth of a mile in an excellent :6.06 to score decisively and with apparently something in reserve.
Zozos was having his first start around two turns Friday and was shipping in from New Orleans, where he posted a half-length victory in a six-furlong Fair Grounds maiden Jan. 23. Zozos is the ninth 'Rising Star' for Munnings, who has also been represented this season by 'Rising Star' Shahama, last seen easily taking the Listed UAE 1000 Guineas at Meydan in late January.
The Butzows acquired the dam of Zozos for $57,000 at the 2011 Keeneland September and raced her to nine victories and eight minor placings from 32 starts for earnings north of $233,000. Papa Forest is due to another Coolmore stallion, Classic Empire, for 2022.
8th-Oaklawn, $100,000, Alw (NW1$X), Opt. Clm ($100,000), 2-11, 3yo, 1 1/16m, 1:44.40, ft, 10 1/4 lengths.
ZOZOS, c, 3, by Munnings
1st Dam: Papa's Forest, by Forestry
2nd Dam: Dixie Sue, by Dixieland Band
3rd Dam: Barbara Sue, by Big Spruce
Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $91,200. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by TVG. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
O/B-Barry & Joni Butzow (KY); T-Brad H Cox.
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