Trainer Jaylan Clary is carrying on her late father Mike Neatherlin's legacy by shining like a thousand diamonds in her rookie meet at Remington Park in Oklahoma City, Okla.
Clary's El Pando stayed undefeated and unchallenged, winning the $100,000 Clever Trevor Stakes in the colt's second start by open daylight. The 2-year-old Kentucky-bred colt by Outwork, from the Speightstown mare Queen Negwer, had broken his maiden just as impressively by 8-3/4 lengths on Sept. 15.
Neatherlin, a strong presence as a trainer in the Southwest since the 1990s, passed away this September at 65 years of age from COVID-19 complications. As a conditioner, he had, at one point, co-owned and trained Kip Deville, the all-time winningest Oklahoma-bred racehorse in history. Kip Deville, who was a champion horse, retired with $3,325,489 in his bankroll and won the 2007 Breeders' Cup Mile at Monmouth Park in Oceanport, New Jersey. Now, Neatherlin's daughter may have a horse that ends up pretty special as well and her father had a little something to do with it.
“My dad bought El Pando when he was a yearling (for $10,000 from the Fasig-Tipton Yearling Sale in 2020),” said Clary, of Brock, Texas. “We put him back in the Texas Thoroughbred Association 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale and then Dad said, 'We're not going to sell him.'”
Neatherlin knew he was special and Clary's disappointment for not selling the colt has quickly changed to joy as El Pando may have punched his ticket to the $400,000 Springboard Mile on Dec. 17 at Remington Park.
“We're certainly looking for something bigger,” said Clary. “He rose to the occasion tonight and exceeded all expectations.”
Remington's three-time leading rider David Cabrera could not hold his excitement in after the race, especially for Clary and her dad's decision to keep the horse.
“Thank you, Mr. Mike!” Cabrera shouted as he pointed to the sky.
Clary has started her training career with 16 starters this meet, winning four, running second four times, and once third. Her horses have earned $164,135. Not bad for a fledgling conditioner.
El Pando's victory was a strong one, hitting the wire 3-3/4 lengths in front as the 9-5 second wagering favorite in the field of nine juveniles. Two longshots closed the gap in the seven-furlong race as Revenir (34-1) and Kentucky Bourbon (34-1) picked up the pieces in the final strides to run second and third, respectively. Revenir finished two lengths ahead of Kentucky Bourbon. The 6-5 betting favorite Concept checked in fourth, another 3-1/4 lengths back.
Clary owns and trains El Pando, who earned $60,000 for the win Friday night, increasing his earnings to $79,545.
El Pando covered the seven-eighths of a mile in 1:24.13 over a fast track, sitting fourth most of the way before making his move in the stretch.
“I wanted to see how he handled the dirt in the face and he was a pro,” said Cabrera. “Pulling out wide, he handled it all.”
It was the third win in the Clever Trevor Stakes for Cabrera. He also made trips to the winner's circle with U.S. Officer in 2016 and Redatory in 2017. This was Clary's first stakes victory at Remington Park. She had run second in the $130,000 David Vance Stakes on Sept. 26 with Mr. Money Bags.
El Pando showed his talent, doing all the running on his own before Cabrera finally tapped him when he drew clear with about 70 yards to go. The early fractions, set first buy Malibu Thunder and then Concept, were honest with the first quarter-mile in :22.11, the half-mile in :45.23, and six furlongs in 1:10.67.
The colt's name means sagging in Spanish and Clary said he got his name because of his swayback.
Neatherlin finished his career with combined on-track Thoroughbred-Quarter Horse earnings surpassing $2.7 million. He saddled a combined 186 winning racehorses. Clary is well on her way to paying strong tribute to her father's memory with a tremendous start to her own career.
The Clever Trevor Stakes is named after the legendary Oklahoma-bred millionaire who won the inaugural Oklahoma Derby in 1989 along with multiple graded stakes events in his career, while accumulating over a million dollars in earnings. A statue of Clever Trevor stands in the middle of the Remington Park paddock walking ring.
Remington Park racing continues Saturday, Oct. 30 with nine races. The first will be underway at 7:07 pm Central.
The post El Pando’s Clever Trevor Victory Brings Clary First Remington Stakes Win appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
