Paynter returns to the races at Hollywood on Friday

Zayat Stables' Paynter, who survived life-threatening battles with colitis

and laminitis last year, will return to action in Friday's

7TH race at Hollywood Park. Stricken following his impressive victory in

last July's Haskell Invitational, the Bob Baffert colt looks to restart his

career in this allowance over seven furlongs on Cushion Track.

Paynter has drawn post 2 with Rafael Bejarano. Standing in the way of his

fairy-tale comeback are seven rivals, including Kate's Event, winner of the

April 27 Tiznow over the track; Grade 3 veteran Majestic City, fourth in the May

27 Los Angeles Handicap in his reappearance; Peruvian champion Fly Lexis Fly,

runner-up in last September's Super Derby and last seen finishing eighth in the

January 12 San Fernando; Argentinean Group 1 winner Grand Berry, exiting a

fourth in the April 27 San Francisco Mile; Chilean Group 1 victor Ashtar, who

has yet to place from eight U.S. starts; and Chilean Group 1 winner Dime Que,

who makes his U.S. premiere off a 19-month layoff.

But instead of fighting for glory on the racetrack, Paynter wound up fighting

for his life in the hospital last summer. He initially came down with fever

while still at Monmouth. Transported to an equine clinic nearby, he spent more

than a week there before eventually venturing up to Saratoga. Paynter had only

just resumed training when he became even more seriously ill with fever and

diarrhea. He was admitted to the Upstate Equine Medical Center near

Schuylerville, New York, where he was diagnosed with colitis.

Paynter's condition was touch-and-go, but after he appeared to turn the

corner, he then developed laminitis. Again connections feared that he was at

death's door, but Paynter recovered under the watchful eye of Dr. Laura Javsicas.

Although improving, Paynter was still experiencing fever, and not thriving as

hoped.

Further testing revealed that the colt had an abscessed area in his colon.

Sent to New Bolton Center for additional consultations, he underwent intestinal

surgery at the Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, facility on October 3.

Paynter responded immediately to the operation and began to regain weight. He

was transferred to the Fair Hill Equine Therapy Center near Elkton, Maryland,

for a period of rehabilitation.