Eden Prairie couple’s horse 10th in 2022 Kentucky Derby – Eden Prairie Local News

Eden Prairie residents Barry and Joni Butzow’s horse Zozos completed 10^th in final weekend’s Kentucky Derby – after spending a part of the race operating in third and fourth place positions.

Assigned a publish place (placement within the beginning gate) of 19 out of the sphere of 20 three-year-old horses within the week earlier than the race, Zozos’s beginning place was simply forward of the eventual winner, Wealthy Strike. Given a publish place of quantity 20 and entered into the race the day earlier than the Derby as a substitute for scratched horse Ethereal Street, Wealthy Strike appeared to come back out of nowhere within the final moments of the race to win at 80-1 odds, the longest shot since 1913 winner Donerail.

The Butzows had been watching the race from the field subsequent to the homeowners of Wealthy Strike and witnessed their surprised response at that horse’s win.

As for their very own horse, “He ran nice for a mile,” within the 1-1/4 mile race, Barry Butzow stated. “He had his title known as a complete bunch of instances early within the race.”

Extra importantly, although, Butzow stated, was having 40 relations and buddies there to expertise the race with them. This included the individuals who raised and skilled the horse on farms in Kentucky and Florida. “Everyone essential to us was there,” Butzow stated.

What’s subsequent for the horse? A little bit of relaxation. Zozos won’t run on the Could 21 Preakness, one other well-known horse race and the second within the collection that establishes a Triple Crown winner. “He ran exhausting for 4 races,” Butzow stated. (The factors Zozos earned in his first three aggressive races are what certified him for the Kentucky Derby.)

Now,  “We’ll flip him out for some time,” Butzow stated. Whereas it’s doable Zozos may come again for some races this fall, “Extra importantly, I feel he’s going to be actually nice as a four-year-old,” Butzow stated.