Pavel adds mystery to Jim Dandy field
Lightly raced O’Neill colt could play spoiler role in Grade 2 $600,000 feature race
SARAT0GA SPRINGS, N.Y. » Twotime Kentucky Derby winning trainer Doug O’Neill has sure added some intrigue to Saturday’s Grade 2 Jim Dandy Stakes.
He will saddle Reddam Racing Stable’s Pavel in the $600,000 race at 1 1/8 miles, which serves as the main prep for the Travers Stakes at this meeting.
Pavel’s resume consists of a debut victory at 6 ½ furlongs, a mere four weeks ago at Santa Anita.
That’s it, as he faces Kentucky Derby winner Always Dreaming and Preakness Stakes winner Cloud Computing in the Jim Dandy.
Mario Gutierrez returns aboard the son of Creative Cause.
“We knew he had ability and he had some shin issues, so we just decided not to rush him at two,” said O’Neill. “Mr. and Mrs. Reddam really get credit for allowing him to mature.”
Pavel was unveiled on July 1 at the California track, backed at 7-to-1 in a field of nine.
After a short battle for the lead, he cruised home by 4 ½ lengths in a swift 1:15 2/5 for the distance.
“It was incredible what he did, really,” said O’Neill. “He beat a quality field and he showed his tons of ability.”
Pavel makes a huge move up the class ladder in the Jim Dandy.
“We did not necessarily think about the Jim Dandy that day,” explained O’Neill. “We knew it was a ‘wow’ performance and we just wanted to take some time to let it sink it. We saw how good his energy level was soon after, so we started to look for races at two turns.”
O’Neill has trained Derby winners I’ll Have Another and Nyquist, respectively, in 2012 and 2016, and has won four Breeders’ Cup races.
Jim Dandy, the horse, is famous for his upset of Triple Crown winner Gallant Fox in the 1930 Travers Stakes at 100to-1 odds.
Pavel won’t be that price, but if he wins it will be an addition to the upsets of lore at “The Graveyard of Favorites.”
Always Dreaming makes his first start since tiring in the Preakness to finish eighth, 14 lengths behind Cloud Computing.
Both horses have not been out since, and have been pointed to this edition of the Jim Dandy since the conclusion of the Triple Crown. Completing the field are Gi-
useppe the Great and Good Samaritan, both of which have trained this spring and summer at the Oklahoma Training Track.
Giuseppe the Great exits a fourth in the Grade 3 Dwyer on July 8 at Belmont Park.
Good Samaritan, winner of the Grade 2 Summer Stakes on turf at Woodbine last year, makes his dirt debut in the Jim Dandy off a fourth in the Belmont Derby on July 8.
SUPPORTING SATURDAY STAKES
Three other graded events, topped by the Grade 1 Alfred G. Vanderbilt, are on the Jim Dandy program.
The $350,000 Vanderbilt, for older sprinters, is at 6 furlongs and features last year’s winner A.P. Indian, who appears to be rounding to top form after two second-place finishes in graded events this year.
Limousine Liberal seeks his fourth straight in the Vanderbilt; he was twice beaten by A.P. Indian last year.
Completing the field are Spartiatis, Awesome Banner, El Deal, Bird Song, Ready for Rye, and Green Gratto.
Sophomore sprinters have the Grade 2 Amsterdam at 6 ½ furlongs for $200,000, with the unbeaten Coal Front moving into stakes company off a pair of impressive victories for trainer Todd Pletcher.
Completing the Amsterdam field are Singing Bullet, Mo Cash, Aquamarine, Excitations, and Toga Challenger.
Two Grade 1 winners are in the $250,000 Bowling Green Handicap at 1 3/8 miles on turf.
They are Bigger Picture, winner of the United Nations at Monmouth, and Ascend, winner of the Manhattan at Belmont Park.
The Grade 2 Bowling Green field is completed by Frank Conversation, Closing Bell, Sadler’s Joy, Hunter O’Riley, and Hello Don Julio.