Pletcher takes ‘methodical approach’ with Khozan
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Khozan, the half-brother to champion Royal Delta, was so impressive in his debut win last month that he landed a spot in the top 20 on Derby Watch. He makes start No. 2 on Sunday at Gulfstream Park in a first-level allowance, a one-turn mile that goes as race 5.
Khozan, a son of Distorted Humor, earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 103 in the seven-furlong maiden win, in which he reported home 3 3/4 lengths best in a field of 14. He faces just five rivals Sunday and landed post 3.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 3 Khozan. Trainer Todd Pletcher is 39-20-5-0 with a $2.85 ROI over the past five years going sprint to route on dirt in the second career start following a winning debut. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
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His trainer, Todd Pletcher, said the allowance race was chosen over something like the Fountain of Youth, which was to be run Saturday.
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“We felt like at this stage of the game, with just one start, he’d be going up against seasoned horses who already have a race under their belt, and that seemed too big a jump for his second start,” Pletcher said.
“We wanted to take a more methodical approach. Hopefully, he’ll be ready to take that big step after this race.”
Khozan figures to be a prohibitive favorite. His rivals include Big Family, who was a distant third in the Hutcheson Stakes here last month.