Pavlovian Runs Down Express Kid in Sunland Derby
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Photo: Coady Media
Pavlovian (outside) defeats Express Kid in the Sunland Park Derby at Sunland Park
Reddam Racing homebred Pavlovian may have entered the $500,000 Sunland Park Derby as the most experienced runner in the field, but he still had much to learn. Thanks to some adjustments by trainer Doug O'Neill and a perfect ride by Edwin Maldonado, he showed he has the ability to learn as he took his lessons to the winner's circle Feb. 15.
The task was not an easy one, running down an ultra-game Express Kid in the final head bob to win by a nose, but the triumph was still a major milestone as it earned the 3-year-old Pavel colt 20 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby (G1).
"The sky's the limit," O'Neill told FanDuel TV after watching from Santa Anita Park. "He's got so much stamina, he's got a lot of class, and just being a homebred is extra special."
Jockey Edwin Maldonado celebrates Pavlovian's win in the Sunland Park Derby
Runner-up in the Best Pal Stakes (G3) last summer, Pavlovian had developed bad tendencies at the starting gate, including dumping his rider at the start of the Golden State Juvenile in October. O'Neill removed blinkers for his next two starts against California-bred company, but it did not make a significant impact. The blinkers were back on Sunday in attempt to keep him more focused at the start.
Another change came from the addition of Maldonado to the saddle, who was aboard for a Feb. 8 workout from the gate.
"We took him to the gate, Doug O'Neill asked me for a sharp work, which he did," Maldonado told Sunland Park's Tom Dawson in the winner's circle. "I love the way he worked and I was fortunate to get a chance to ride this horse."
That experience worked out as the gray or roan colt popped out of the gate alertly and surprisingly placed Maldonado alongside odds-on favorite Express Kid entering the clubhouse turn. Originally planning to rally from off the pace, Maldonado played the hand he was dealt and switched to "Plan B."
"He broke super sharp today and I had a split-second to make up my mind," Maldonado said. "I said, 'I think (Express Kid) is the one to beat, so I'm already here I might as well stay here.'"
Maldonado didn't let Juan Hernandez and Express Kid out of his sights as they tracked fractions of :23.07, :46.40, and 1:10.07, but Express Kid started to get away turning for home. Maldonado felt the approaching presence of Bricklin on his outside as his horse began to lose focus, and used that rival to reengage.
"My horse didn't really want to go by (Express Kid)," Maldonado said. "I noticed somebody else (Bricklin) was coming outside, so I was trying to piggyback ride on the horse outside of me. I encouraged him to look at the horse outside, which he gave me the push to go by (Express Kid)."
The move worked and Pavlovian shot forward. Express Kid battled gamely but, as their heads bobbed on the wire, it was Pavlovian who got up at the final second. Bricklin was 5 1/4 lengths back in third.
"I think he has a lot of potential," Maldonado said of the colt who paid $12.20 to win. "I think he's just learning, he's just getting to know what he's supposed to do, and he has a big future ahead."
Connections celebrate Pavlovian's win in the Sunland Park Derby
"He's so competitive; he's a feisty, classy guy," O'Neill said. "That horse (Express Kid) is so good. He beat a legit horse and just a great effort."
Winner of the Remington Park Springboard Mile, Express Kid was making his first start for trainer Justin Evans and owners Paradise Equine Farm and Bradley and Sharon Kleven after they purchased him for $800,000 out of a Fasig-Tipton Digital Flash Sale in January. As part of the Road to the Kentucky Derby, the top five finishers received points on a 20-10-6-4-2 scale, increasing Express Kid's total to match Pavlovian at 20.
Pavlovian's victory gave O'Neill his fourth in the Sunland Park Derby, tying him with Bob Baffert for the most all-time. O'Neill expressed thanks for owners Paul and Zilla Reddam following the race.
"We might have another Derby horse, you never know," O'Neill said.
O'Neill would know what a Kentucky Derby horse looks like, having trained 2012 winner I'll Have Another and 2016 winner Nyquist for the Reddams. He also trained the colt's grade 1-winning sire, Pavel, and his winning Bellamy Road dam, Mandy's Grace , for the Reddams. Pavel stands the 2026 season at Ocean Breeze Ranch near Bonsall, Calif., for a $4,000 fee.