Kertez (GB)

Kertez, an English-bred Intello gelding, made the first 19 starts of his career in France, winning five times, finishing second four times, and third five times. Included in that record were two runner-up finishes in group stakes, but the bay gelding was still winless at the stakes level when he made his first start of 2024 at Gulfstream Park in Florida for trainer Christophe Clement.

In the March 30 Grade 2 Pan American Stakes Presented by Rood & Riddle, Kertez went off as the second betting choice at 2-1 odds, and rallied strongly from off of the pace to edge longshot Harry Hood by a nose at the finish of the 1 ½-mile race to post a breakthrough stakes victory.

Kertez is out of the winning Distorted Humor mare Distortion, and is a half-brother to Grade 2-placed Twist. French Two Thousand Guineas winner Falco is another notable family member.