Pavel staying home for Pacific Classic

DEL MAR, Calif. – Pavel, the winner of the Grade 1 Stephen Foster Handicap at Churchill Downs on June 16, will start in the Grade 1 Pacific Classic at Del Mar on Aug. 18.

Trainer Doug O’Neill and owners Paul and Zillah Reddam have chosen the $1 million Pacific Classic at 1 1/4 miles instead of the Grade 1 Whitney Stakes at Saratoga on Aug. 4. The decision was finalized after Pavel worked six furlongs in 1:12.60 at Del Mar on Friday.

“It was a combination of (a) this is our home track and (b), most importantly, Pavel worked tremendous over the track,” O’Neill said. “He’s doing great. Let’s leave him here.”

Pavel has won 3 of 10 starts and earned nearly $1.2 million. The Stephen Foster Handicap is by far the most prestigious win of his career. Earlier this year, Pavel was fourth in the $10 million Dubai World Cup in the United Arab Emirates, finishing 7 3/4 lengths behind winner Thunder Snow.

– additional reporting by David Grening