Two Best Pal Runners for Red-Hot Reddam, O’Neill

Owner J. Paul Reddam and trainer Doug O’Neill are likely the hottest owner/trainer combination on the planet of late and, having already swept the exacta in Del Mar’s Graduation S. for Cal-bred juveniles Wednesday, have two chances to keep the heater going in Saturday’s GII Best Pal S. Found Money (Square Eddie), a Reddam homebred, donned cap and gown in restricted company in Arcadia May 15 before besting stablemate and Graduation winner Mrazek (Square Eddie) in the Santa Anita Juvenile S. June 21. Nyquist (Uncle Mo), meanwhile, a $400,000 Fasig-Tipton Florida grad, came out running from his rail draw to out-game subsequent graduate Annie’s Candy (Twirling Candy) in his lone prior start June 5.

“I think it is the best group of 2-year-olds I’ve ever had,” O’Neill said. “We’re so blessed with a tremendous group of Paul Reddam homebreds [by Reddam’s stallion Square Eddie] and horses that my brother Dennis picked out of sales.” ONeill added, “Nyquist has been, to us, the leader of the pack so far. But we’ve got to see him do it on Saturday, of course. He’s training well, we think he has drawn a good post position… [Found Money] is a typical hard-knocking, tough-minded Square Eddie. We’re excited for both of them.”

Swipe (Birdstone) checked in runner-up on debut May 22 before shipping across the country to complete the trifecta behind Cocked and Loaded (Colonel John) in Belmont’s Tremont S. June 5. He rallied to annex Los Alamitos Racecourse’s Summer Juvenile Championship S. July 12 over Mrazek, and could benefit from a contentious early pace.

Paynes Prairie (Tale of Ekati) was second in the Tremont before donning cap and gown third out at Belmont July 4 for Steve Asmussen and Norma McKathan. He has since been acquired privately by McShane Racing and turned over to Michael Pender.