Pavel back in O'Neill's stable, targets BC Classic

CYPRESS, Calif. – Pavel, winner of the Grade 1 Stephen Foster Handicap in June at Churchill Downs, has resumed training with Doug O’Neill at Santa Anita and is on schedule for the Breeders’ Cup Classic in November.

O’Neill said Thursday that Pavel rejoined his stable earlier this month following a weeklong break at a local farm in late August. Pavel was second to Accelerate in the Grade 1 Pacific Classic on Aug. 18 at Del Mar.

Owned by Paul and Zillah Reddam, Pavel will not start before the BC Classic on Nov. 3 at Churchill Downs, O’Neill said.

“He looks phenomenal,” O’Neill said. “If all goes well, he’ll have his first workout next week.”

Pavel earned a fees-paid berth to the BC Classic with his win in the Stephen Foster. A 4-year-old, Pavel has won 3 of 11 starts and earned $1,375,000. He was fourth in the $10 million Dubai World Cup earlier this year.