Callaghan confident in Kazan ahead of Twilight Derby

ARCADIA, Calif. – Kazan had a busy three-race campaign at Del Mar during the summer, culminating with a second at 50-1 in the Grade 2 Del Mar Derby on Sept. 2.

The surprise second was not a fluke, trainer Simon Callaghan says. Kazan starts in Sunday’s Grade 2 Twilight Derby at Santa Anita, and Callaghan thinks the gelding can win.

“I think without question he fits with these horses,” Callaghan said. “I don’t think [his last race] was a one-off.”

Kazan is more focused on racing since being gelded this year, Callaghan said. Kazan will need to be in peak form to win the $200,000 Twilight Derby at 1 1/8 miles on turf.

The race drew a strong field of 10. The multiple stakes winner River Boyne, Grade 2 winner Have At It, and the Irish Group 3 winner Platinum Warrior add depth to the race.

Have At It is the lone shipper in the field. Trained by Christophe Clement, Have At It won the Grade 2 Hill Prince Stakes on Oct. 6 at Belmont Park in an 11-1 upset.

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KEY CONTENDERS

Kazan, by Shanghai Bobby
Last 3 Beyers: 89-82-78

◗ Kazan, who has run only on turf in eight starts, won a maiden race on July 18 and an allowance race with an $80,000 claiming option on Aug. 12 prior to the Del Mar Derby. In a field of 12, Kazan closed from 11th to finish 1 1/2 lengths behind Ride a Comet in the Del Mar Derby.

A two-month gap between starts was ideal for Kazan.

“We wanted to give him some good spacing,” Callaghan said. “This was the plan.

“I think he’ll run really well. He’ll have to run his best race to win it.”

Platinum Warrior, by Galileo
Last 3 Beyers: 92-NA-NA

◗ Platinum Warrior was fourth in the Grade 1 Secretariat Stakes at Arlington Park on Aug. 11 in his first start in the United States and joined trainer John Sadler’s stable in California shortly after that race. In Ireland, Platinum Warrior won the Group 3 Gallinule Stakes at 1 1/4 miles in May and was ninth of 12 in the Irish Derby in late June.

“He needed the time to settle in and get used to America,” Sadler said.

◗ Sadler said the Grade 1 Hollywood Derby at Del Mar on Dec. 1 is a goal for Platinum Warrior.

“I’m excited to get him started,” Sadler said. “Is he all in to win his first out? I don’t know.”

River Boyne, by Dandy Man
Last 3 Beyers: 89-93-91

◗ River Boyne won the Grade 3 La Jolla Handicap at 1 1/16 miles at Del Mar on Aug. 5, and was third as the even-money favorite in the Del Mar Derby after leading in the stretch.

“The race didn’t set up like he wants,” trainer Jeff Mullins said. “He was in the clear and kind of rank. I don’t think it was conducive to his style.”

◗ Mullins is hopeful River Boyne can get a stalking trip behind horses in the Twilight Derby under jockey Flavien Prat.

“Flavien knows what he wants to do,” Mullins said.