Khozan came home the easiest of winners in his debut Saturday at Gulfstream Park, besting Wisecracker by 3 ¾-lengths to head a Distorted Humor “exacta” in the seven furlong maiden special weight affair for 3-year-olds. Wisecracker was a similar margin ahead of third-place finisher Great Stuff.
Khozan earned a gaudy 102 Beyer Speed Figure for his eye-opening performance, and was also named a TDN Rising Star. He is the 22nd horse by his sire to earn the moniker, and the fifth out of his dam Delta Princess, an illustrious group topped by three-time champion and $4.8 million-earner Royal Delta.
Despite being saddled with the far outside post in the field of 14 Khozan came away cleanly and hustled into fourth after a quarter mile in :22.99 seconds. Three wide around the turn, Javier Castellano gave the dark bay his cue at the top of the stretch and pulled away authoritatively to stop the clock in 1:23.63 on a fast track.
“He’s got a tremendous stallion’s pedigree. I think stretching him out in an allowance race is the next logical step,” trainer Todd Pletcher said afterward on HRTV.
Bred by Adena Springs in Kentucky, Khozan brought $350,000 as a yearling at Fasig-Tipton Saratoga before his owner Al Shaqab Racing purchased him for $1 million at the Fasig-Tipton Florida March 2-year-old sale. In addition Royal Delta, he is also a half-brother to Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (G1) winner Crown Queen, Grade 1-placed Carnival Court, and Grade 2-placed Empire Way. Their dam, multiple Grade 3 winner Delta Princess, is herself a full sister to Grade 1 winner Indy Five Hundred.
