Khetam put in a furious rally in the final furlong to win a maiden special weight contest by two widening lengths at Turfway Park on Friday, Dec. 5.
With the victory, Khetam became the 18th first crop winner for his sire, Essential Quality. Completing the exacta in the race was Ravenous, a runner from the first crop of fellow Darley freshman sire, Maxfield.
As shown in his previous three starts, Khetam showed little early speed and was settled in mid-pack as Aguila Negra led the field through the early stages of the eight-furlong contest. Jockey Vincent Cheminaud set Khetam in motion on the far turn, and the gelding was under a full head of steam as the field entered the homestretch.
Khetam charged past Aguila Negra in the stretch and drew off for an easy victory.
Khetam was bred in Kentucky and races as a homebred for Shadwell Stable. He is out of Elsaabiqaat, a winning daughter of Invincible Spirit, hails from the family of Champions Fleet Indian and Game Winner, and G1 winner Flagstaff.
Two-time Eclipse Award winner Essential Quality's other first-crop winners include Nashua Stakes winner My World, Ellis Park Debutante winner Chopsticks, Clever Trevor Stakes winner Essential Time, recent Churchill MSW winners Bohemian and Measure, plus Keeneland debut MSW winner Confessional, Saratoga debut MSW winner Aye Eye, and seven-length Gulfstream MSW winner Bull by the Horns.
Essential Quality will stand the 2026 breeding season at Jonabell Farm for a fee of $25,000, stands and nurses.
