Kentucky Derby pedigree profiles: Khozan
Khozan
Distorted Humor–Delta Princess, by A.P. Indy
Bred in Kentucky by Adena Springs; $1 million purchase by Al Shaqab Racing at Fasig-Tipton Florida March sale of 2-year-olds in training
There were three graded stakes offering qualifying points toward the Kentucky Derby last weekend, but a colt who has yet to test that level arguably made the biggest splash.
Khozan successfully stretched out to a mile to crush optional-claiming foes by 12 3/4 lengths Sunday at Gulfstream Park, remaining unbeaten in two career starts. The Distorted Humor colt is eyeing next month’s Florida Derby as his stakes debut. His talent ceiling has yet to be discovered – however, if there’s one area where Khozan has no vulnerabilities, it’s his pedigree.
The A.P. Indy mare Delta Princess was a multiple graded stakes winner routing on turf, one of several grass influences in Khozan’s pedigree. However, the mare’s offspring – six winners from as many starters – have performed well at route distances on both dirt and turf. The group is led by three-time Eclipse Award winner Royal Delta, whose major victories included two editions each of the Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic and Delaware Handicap, along with the Alabama Stakes, Beldame Stakes, and Personal Ensign. All those victories came at 1 1/8 or 1 1/4 miles.
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Delta Princess also produced Eclipse Award finalist Crown Queen, the winner of the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup on turf; Alabama third-place finisher Carnival Court; and Empire Way, second in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes. All four stakes performers were, like Khozan, sired by Mr. Prospector-line stallions.
Delta Princess, out of English Group 2 winner Lyphard’s Delta, was a half-sister to turf Grade/Group 1 winners Biondetti and Indy Five Hundred. The next dam is the champion and multiple stakes producer Proud Delta, whose top-level victories included the Beldame and the Top Flight Handicap.
Distorted Humor, himself a speedy sort, was a four-time graded stakes winner at distances from seven furlongs to a mile. He’s already had an influence on the classics, siring Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner and champion Funny Cide and Belmont Stakes and Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Drosselmeyer. His other top runners at route distances include Travers winner and classic sire Flower Alley, two-time Whitney Handicap winner Commentator, Haskell Invitational winner Any Given Saturday, turf standout Boisterous, and multiple graded stakes winner Alternation.