Florida freshman sire Khozan off to fast start

It is far too early in the 2-year-old racing season to predict who will claim the freshman sire title in a strong group led by Triple Crown winner American Pharoah. However, the Florida-based Khozan is off to a flying start.

Khozan, who stands at Journeyman Stud in Reddick, is represented by six winners from 15 starters through Tuesday. No other North American freshman sire has more than three winners. Khozan’s victors have come at Gulfstream Park – five in maiden special weight company and one in a maiden claimer – where he won both his starts. Those runners have given him a bankroll of $285,160, more than double the next freshman on the earnings list, WinStar Farm’s Constitution ($120,697), with three winners from five starters.

Khozan, by Distorted Humor, is a half-sibling to several stakes horses, most notably multiple Eclipse Award champion Royal Delta, who will be inducted into the Hall of Fame this summer. Khozan won his debut going seven furlongs by 3 3/4 lengths, earning a Beyer Speed Figure of 102. He followed up with a 12 3/4-length allowance win going a mile with an 88 Beyer.