Pavel targets Santa Anita Handicap

ARCADIA, Calif. – Pavel, a troubled fourth in the Grade 2 San Pasqual Stakes at Santa Anita on Feb. 3, is a likely starter in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap on March 10.

The $600,000 Big Cap at 1 1/4 miles will be Pavel’s fourth start in a Grade 1. Pavel was third in the Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont Park last October, 10th in the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Del Mar in November, and fourth in the Malibu Stakes on Dec. 26.

In the San Pasqual Stakes at 1 1/8 miles, Pavel raced in traffic on the turn and in early stretch and was beaten 4 1/2 lengths by the winner, Accelerate, another Big Cap contender. The trouble may have cost Pavel a win, trainer Doug O’Neill said.

“I think we’re all in agreement he would have been right there,” O’Neill said.

Owned by Paul and Zillah Reddam, Pavel has won 2 of 7 starts and earned $347,400.

“We’re looking forward to having a big year with him,” O’Neill said.

Two trainers fined

Trainers Jack Carava and Peter Miller were fined last weekend by stewards for medication violations in the second half of 2017.

Carava was fined $1,000 after Li’l Grazen, who was entered to race at Santa Anita on Oct. 29, was administered an oral paste to reduce lactic acid buildup, according to stewards. The medication cannot be given on race day, which led to the scratch of Li’l Grazen.

Miller was fined $2,500 after Starr of Quality tested in excess of the permitted level of the analgesic phenylbutazone at Del Mar on Aug. 23. Starr of Quality was second in a starter allowance with a $32,000 claiming option. According to a ruling published Saturday, this was Miller’s third penalty for a bute overage within a year.