Logician tries to remain unbeaten in English St. Leger

The undefeated Logician will be a heavy favorite to win his Group 1 debut in Saturday’s $864,360 English St. Leger at Doncaster Racecourse.

Trained by John Gosden for Juddmonte Farms, Logician has earned the role of favorite with a quick rise through the 3-year-old division since his career debut in May. Logician won the Group 2 Great Voltigeur at 1 1/2 miles for 3-year-olds at York Racecourse on Aug. 21 by 1 3/4 lengths over Constantinople.

The St. Leger for 3-year-olds is run at 1 13/16 miles and drew a field of eight. Frankie Dettori has the mount on Logician, who is by Frankel and has won four starts.

Trainer Aidan O’Brien has three starters in the St. Leger, including two contenders in Sir Dragonet and Il Paradiso.

Sir Dragonet, by Camelot, was fifth in the English Derby at Epsom Downs as the 11-4 favorite on June 1 and fourth as the 1-2 favorite in his only start of the summer, the Group 3 Royal Whip Stakes at the Curragh in Ireland on Aug. 16. Ryan Moore rode Sir Dragonet in his last two starts and has the mount on Saturday.

O’Brien said earlier this month that the extended distance of the St. Leger should suit Sir Dragonet.

Il Paradiso, by Galileo, was third behind top English stayer Stradivarius in the Group 2 Lonsdale Cup at 2 1/16 miles at York on Aug. 23, which drew a field of four. Il Paradiso was seventh in the Group 1 Irish Derby at the Curragh on June 29.