Jockey Luis Martinez guides multiple graded stakes winner Pavel to the fastest qualifying time for the $200,000-est. Shue Fly Stakes at Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino.

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SUNLAND PARK, NM—JANUARY 11, 2025—Multiple graded stakes winner Pavel extended his latest win streak to three on Saturday with a half-length victory in the second of four trials for the $100,000 added Shue Fly Stakes(RG2) at Sunland Park.

The 10 fastest qualifiers will return to the Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino on Groundhog Day, Sunday, February 2, to vie for the winner's share of a $200,000-est. purse going a distance of 400 yards for accredited New Mexico Bred 3-year-olds.

Regular rider Luis Martinez guided Pavel to his seventh career win while clocking the fastest trial time of 19,387 seconds, a 93-speed index. Jorge Luis Sanchez, Jr. trains the son of third-crop sire Czar Cartel Mv, a brother to leading sires Pyc Paint Your Wagon and Ivory James.

MRB Racing LLC is the owner-breeder of the earner of nearly $340,000.

Pavel was made his 3-year-old Saturday following an outstanding juvenile season where he won six of eight starts, including the New Mexican Spring Futurity(RG2) at Sunland Park, the New Mexico Breeders Futurity(RG3) at SunRay Park, and the New Mexico Classic Juvenile Stakes at Zia Park.

Czar Cartel Mv was the #5 leading second-crop sire of money earners in 2024. With limited starters in three crops, he has sired five winners with average earnings per starter of over $25,500.

CLICK HERE for the list of Shue Fly Stakes(RG2) finalists with times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers, and jockeys.

Live racing returns Sunday at Sunland Park with a nine-race card headed by the $90,000 Red Or Green Stakes for 4-year-old & up New Mexico breds. The first post is at 12:25 (MST).