EAST AVENUE RETURNS TO THE WORK TAB AT FAIR GROUNDS

● Top Kentucky Derby Hopeful Targeting G2 Risen Star for 3-Year-Old Debut

New Orleans, La (Jan 3, 2024) – In his first published work since finishing ninth as the favorite in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) at Del Mar on November 1, the Godolphin homebred East Avenue breezed a half mile over a fast Fair Grounds main track in :49 1/5.

Shortly after the renovation break at approximately 9:20 am. CT, the son of Medaglia d’Oro clipped off splits of :12 2/5, :24 4/5, :37 2/5 before completing his half mile breeze in :49 1/5 with Declan Cannon up. According to clocker Billy Pettingill, East Avenue galloped out five furlongs in 1:02 1/5 and continued on in 1:15 4/5.

“This was the first time I’ve seen him in person and he really stands out on the track,” Petingill said. “The work was impressive. The time was fast, but what I really liked was how his momentum just carried him through the gallop out.”

Following a dominant maiden breaking sprint at Ellis Park on August 24 for trainer Brendan Walsh, East Avenue stretched out to 1 1/16 miles four weeks later for the Breeders’ Futurity at Keeneland. Off alertly, he sped right to the front, shook off the class hike and won going away by 5 ¼ lengths.

The 1.80-1 favorite in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) at Del Mar, East Avenue was severely hampered by a bad stumble at the break, crossing the line ninth of ten.

“Once he blew the start, we were dead in the water,” Walsh said. “We sprinted him first time out, and then sent him to the lead at Keeneland (Breeders’ Futurity win). In the Breeders’ Cup, he just outbroke himself. His head was going faster than his body. It was disappointing, but you don’t get a do over. It’s horse racing. It’s sports. Sometimes things just happen and you move on.”

The connections regrouped and targeted the $500,000 Risen Star (G2) at Fair Grounds on February 15, a race won last year by eventual Kentucky Derby runner-up and Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Sierra Leone. At this stage, all is going according to plan.

“Our goal is to get him there (the Risen Star) in great shape and leave some room for improvement,” Walsh said. “He’s naturally fast, but he’s also a very cool horse with a great mind.”

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