Pavel headed to Dubai as the O'Neill barn's 'rock star'

Twice a fourth-place finisher in the Dubai World Cup (G1), Reddam Racing’s Pavel is looking to do a few better for trainer Doug O’Neill in 2020. The son of Creative Cause — often an eye-catcher during track work over the past two Dubai World Cup lead-ups — will be part of a new Dubai string arriving from California in mid-January for the two-time Kentucky Derby-winning conditioner.

“That is our dream—the World Cup with Pavel,” O’Neill said. “He’s definitely the leader of this group. He really does enjoy it over there, and I think all of our horses do when they go. They like the long walk from the barn area to the track. It’s very tranquil for them, and I’m looking forward to all the horses getting an opportunity to experience that. We’re excited about it. We’ll play which particular races we run in by ear, but I’ll have more clarity on that by the first of January.”

Pavel has not raced since finishing eighth in the Pacific Classic (G1) in August but counts a third in the Suburban (G2) and respectable sixth in the Metropolitan Handicap (G1), both in New York, to his post-Dubai credit in 2019. A Grade 1 winner in 2018, he has finished fourth or better in seven races at the top level in his 18 career starts. Bred by Brereton C. Jones of Airdrie Stud and WinStar Farm, the Reddam Racing runner turns 6 on Jan. 1 and carries career earnings of $2,090,351.

O’Neill had 17 horses accepted among his applications for the Dubai World Cup Carnival, a $12.74 million, 10-night global showcase in which the average purse is $204,016 among its 61 Thoroughbred fixtures. Of those 17, only one has been withdrawn thus far, Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf alum War Beast. O'Neill still maintains high hopes for Grade 2-placed sprinter Landeskog as well as San Francisco Mile (G3) winner Blitzkrieg, among others.

“Blitzkrieg is a really talented turf horse and both Truck Salesman and Wildman Jack are two really gifted sprint horses on turf and dirt, and we’re excited about them as well,” O’Neill said. “War Beast was on the list, but he was turned out with a little bit of a shin. There could be changes as we move forward with this, naturally, but Pavel is the big rock star we have coming.”

Alejandro Mercado’s Truck Salesman is a fleet-footed dirt sprinter who recently finished second in allowance company at Del Mar, while Wildman Jack, a sharp turf allowance sprint winner at Del Mar on Dec. 1, is campaigned by his Breeders’ Cup-winning sire Goldencents’ owner, W.C. Racing.

Paul Reddam owns two others who are possible to make the trip, Grade 2-placed/stakes winner Fore Left and lightly raced Too Late, who has been clashing with California’s best 2-year-olds in maiden ranks. This past summer, he finished ahead of highly touted Simon Callaghan trainee and next-out winner Lighthouse.

“It was a mutual thing between us and something we bounced off each other a month ago or so when we were dealing with the uncertainty of Santa Anita,” O’Neill said of heading up a full overseas string. “When Dubai came back and accepted our horses, we got really excited. Paul is definitely 100% behind it and we’re just hopeful to go over there and compete well.”

While this is the earliest O’Neill has sent horses to Dubai, he has done quite well when he has ventured to the UAE, no matter the surface or distance. He won the 2007 Godolphin Mile (G2) with Reddam’s Spring at Last, was second in the 2006 Dubai Turf (G1) with Whilly and in the 2003 Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1) with Avanzado, while also managing a third in the 2004 Godolphin Mile with Excessivepleasure. Ten of his 19 DWC night starts earned prize money (finishing sixth or better) and he has competed in six of the eight Thoroughbred DWC night races.

“We’re really looking forward to this and grateful for the opportunity,” he concluded. “I’m feeling like we’re bringing over a group of horses who can be competitive in the better races.”