Pavlovian nails Express Kid on the wire in Sunland Park Derby

Pavlovian stalked pacesetter Express Kid through every fraction Sunday, then surged past at the wire for a nose victory in the $500,000 Sunland Park Derby at Sunland Park.

The 21st running of the 1 1/16-mile race for 3-year-olds awarded 20-10-6-4-2 Kentucky Derby (G1) qualifying points to the top five finishers, giving Pavlovian his first 20 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. The field was reduced to six after two scratches.

Edwin Maldonado rode the victory for trainer Doug O'Neill, who captured his fourth Sunland Park Derby to tie Bob Baffert for the most wins in the race's history. Pavlovian wore blinkers for the first time.

Express Kid broke sharply from the rail under Juan Hernandez and established a half-length advantage through an opening quarter-mile in 23.07 seconds. Pavlovian settled into a stalking position just a length behind in second. Forty Twenty sat third, Bricklin fourth, Buntus Foclora fifth and Daneyko last of the six.

Express Kid continued to dictate terms through a half-mile in 46.40 seconds as Pavlovian crept closer, narrowing the gap to a half-length. The top two pulled clear of their rivals through three-quarters of a mile in 1:10.07, with Bricklin already four lengths adrift in third.

Pavlovian briefly lost touch with the leader approaching the stretch, dropping 1 1/2 lengths behind as Express Kid led through a mile in 1:35.61. But Maldonado asked for his best and Pavlovian responded, eating into the deficit with every stride through the final furlong. The gray colt got his nose down at the wire, completing the 1 1/16 miles in 1:42.22 on the fast main track.

Pavlovian paid $12.20, $4.40 and $2.60. Express Kid returned $3.20 and $2.20 to place. The top two finished 5 1/4 lengths clear of the rest.

Bricklin, trained by Rodolphe Brisset and ridden by Cristian Torres, closed to finish third and paid $2.60 to show. Daneyko, the Riley Allison Derby winner ridden by Alfredo Juarez Jr. for trainer Edward Kereluk, came in fourth, 11 3/4 lengths behind Bricklin. Forty Twenty faded badly after tracking the pace early, finishing fifth and beaten 67 3/4 lengths. Buntus Foclora completed the order.

A 3-year-old son of Pavel, Pavlovian improved his record to 9: 2-3-1. In his previous start, he finished third in the California Cup Derby on Jan. 17 at Santa Anita, his first attempt at 1 1/16 miles.