Khozalite gets professionally dirty. (Ryan Thompson)
2YO Colt Impressive in Victory, Targeting Nov. 29 In Reality Next
David Joseph/Gulfstream Park
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – For a horse whose trainer feels could be even better on the grass, Half Hollow Stables and ProRacing Stable’s Khozalite was impressive returning to the dirt for his stakes debut with a popular and professional four-length victory in Saturday’s $200,000 Affirmed at Gulfstream Park.
The seven-furlong Affirmed was the last of three stakes worth $470,000 in purses on a 12-race program co-headlined by Mythical’s popular romp in the $200,000 Susan’s Girl for fillies, each part of the $1.2 million Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association Florida Sire Stakes series for 2-year-olds by accredited Florida stallions.
Named for the Florida-bred 1978 Triple Crown winner that was a five-time champion, back-to-back Horse of the Year and 1980 Hall of Fame inductee, the Affirmed is the middle leg of the FSS series, following the $100,000 Dr. Fager Sept. 6. The series concludes with the $300,000 In Reality Nov. 29.
Ridden by Leonel Reyes for trainer Jose D’Angelo, Khozalite ($9.20) covered a fast main track in 1:23.30 to register his second straight win following a two-length maiden triumph going a two-turn mile on the Gulfstream turf Aug. 30 in his second career start.
“I think he’s going to be better on turf. The key with him is the distance. The longer he goes, the better it is for him. That’s why I ran him on the grass, because the two turns is what he needs,” D’Angelo said. “Khozalite is the kind of horse that just needs distance. That’s why I take the shot back on the dirt. He was ready today. I’m very happy with him. He had a nice gallop-out. I’m proud of him and his race.”
One of three last-out maiden winners in the field of 11 along with Khozalite and D’Angelo-trained stablemate Micanopy, Wootun broke alertly and went straight to the front, leading through an opening quarter-mile in 22.65 seconds with Khozalite pressing to his outside in second. Strategic Risk, a Gulfstream debut winner in June that was exiting back-to-back graded-stakes efforts at Saratoga, saved ground inside in third with Hawk in the clear in fourth.
The half-mile went in 45.38 when Wootun began to tire and Khozalite eagerly inherited the top spot rounding the far turn with Strategic Risk poised to strike on the far outside in third. Khozalite began to gain separation once straightened for home and had plenty left to turn back a late run from Squire, who edged Strategic Risk by three-quarters of a length for second.
“I knew both my horses were well-prepared. I know they were going to run from the start if everything goes good,” D’Angelo said. “When I saw him third and second and making his move turning for home, I knew he was going to be there.”
Hawk finished fourth, followed by Trelawny, All to Win, I’m Tuff Enough, He’s My Uncle, Micanopy, Wootun and Dr. Fager runner-up Camigol.
Reyes has been aboard for each of Khozalite’s races including a dead heat for second in a six-furlong dirt maiden special weight against Florida-breds Aug. 2 and has also been up for D’Angelo in morning works.
“The trip was perfect. His outside post position was good. I tried to go behind the speed. When I asked him at the quarter pole he responded very well,” Reyes said. “After his last work, I was very confident in him because he felt really, really good and ready for the race.”
D’Angelo said the plan is for Khozalite to target the 1 1/16-mile In Reality on opening weekend of Gulfstream’s 2025-2026 Championship Meet.
“Yes, 100 percent,” he said. “He ran good two turns on the grass so he should be fine there.”
