Coglianese Photo
Saddles Two Favorites in Khozalite & Prost
Gulfstream Park Press
HALLANDALE BEACH, FL – Jose D’Angelo is having a moment.
The 35-year-old horsemen has a growing stable, won consecutive Breeders’ Cup races a month ago with purses totaling $3 million, and was just featured in Forbes magazine as “one of the shining stars in the Thoroughbred training ranks.”
“It’s been an amazing year,” said D’Angelo, who saddled his first winner just seven years ago after arriving from Venezuela. “We’re working hard, we’re getting better horses, but we still need to prove ourselves.”
The work continues Saturday when D’Angelo sends out two of the favorites – Khozalite and Prost – in the $300,000 In Reality, the final leg of the lucrative FTBOA Florida Sire Stakes for 2-year-old colts and geldings. The In Reality, contested at 1 1/16 miles, will be the first time around two turns for eight of the 11 entered.
The In Reality is co-featured on the 11-race program along with the $300,000 My Dear Girl division of the FTBOA Sire Stakes for 2-year-old fillies. Arindel’s homebred Mythical will be the My Dear Girl’s heavy favorite.
Khozalite, owned by Half Hollow Stables LLC and ProRacing Stable, enters the In Reality off an impressive four-length victory Oct. 18 in the second division of the FTBOA Sire Stakes, the seven-furlong Affirmed. The son of Khozan broke his maiden at a mile on the turf on Aug. 30 in his second career start.
While Khozalite has won around two turns, albeit on the turf, Prost enters the In Reality after winning his debut Oct. 11 by nine lengths at seven furlongs.
Khozalite and Prost worked an easy five furlongs together Saturday at Palm Meadows in 1:03.30.
“I know Khozalite won’t have any problems with the long distance because he handled it well when he was on the grass,” D’Angelo said. “That’s a big advantage for these kinds of horses, babies. Prost ran very good first time, and I know he wasn’t 100 percent ready. He was very professional and sharp. I’m sure both of my horses will give huge races Saturday.”
Khozalite will be ridden by Edgar Zayas, while Prost will be ridden by Miguel Vasquez.
Trainer Brad Cox has entered the maiden The Town, a son of Win Win Win who sold for $150,000 at the Ocala Breeders’ Sale of 2-year-olds in March. Owned by Sabby Racing LLC, Madaket Stables, LLC, and Commonwealth Racing, LLC, The Town debuted at Keeneland Oct. 24 in the $150,000 claiming race at six furlongs. Despite a slow start, The Town closed from last in a field of 12 to finish second. Emisael Jaramillo will ride The Town, who shows three works in South Florida at Payson Park.
Squire returns in the In Reality for trainer Patrick Biancone after finishing second to Khozalite in the Affirmed. The son of Leinster previously was second in the Royal Palm Juvenile on the turf, and was fifth in the Dr. Fager, the first leg of the FTBOA Sire Stakes, and fifth in the Hollywood Beach.
Camigol, trained by Antonio Sano, was third in the Saratoga Special (G2) after breaking his maiden at second asking at Gulfstream. Upon his return from Saratoga, he finished third in the six-furlong Dr. Fager but was nowhere close when finishing last in the Affirmed last time out.
“He had a problem in the gate that day,” Sano said. “He got banged around, was bleeding a little from the mouth when he got back to the barn. He’s fine since and, hopefully, there will be no problems this time.”
Edwin Gonzalez rides Camigol.
Arindel will try to sweep the finals of the Sire Stakes with Mythical in the My Dear Girl and homebred Hawk in the In Reality. The son of Adios Charlie, still a maiden, was fourth in the Affirmed in his second career start and was second, beaten just a head, Nov. 8 against maidens. The Carlos David-trained colt will be ridden by Joe Bravo.
Gold Miner has been entered by Riley Mott and will make his racing debut in the In Reality. Trelawny broke his maiden at first asking for trainer Jose Pinchin in July and has finished third in the Dr. Fager and fifth in the Affirmed.
