The Kentucky Derby trail is heating up as East Avenue, a Grade 1 winner, makes his comeback. After a rough race at the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, where he finished ninth, East Avenue is back on track and ready for more. This Godolphin homebred has had a strong start to his career, and his return to training shows he’s aiming for a big comeback in 2025. Let’s dive into East Avenue’s journey so far and what’s next on his road to the Kentucky Derby.
East Avenue’s Recent Workout
East Avenue recently had his first published workout since his disappointing performance at the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile on November 1. He breezed four furlongs (half a mile) over the fast Fair Grounds main track on January 3, finishing in 49.2 seconds. This workout showed that East Avenue is back in shape and ready to compete. The workout splits were fast, and he galloped out strong with a time of 1:02.2 for five furlongs.
Clockers, like Billy Pettingill, were impressed with how East Avenue maintained his momentum during the workout. This shows that East Avenue has the energy and strength to do well in future races, and his return is a positive sign for his connections.
East Avenue’s Journey So Far
Before his Breeders’ Cup stumble, East Avenue had shown great promise. He won the Breeders’ Futurity at Keeneland by a convincing 5 1/4 lengths, proving he could handle a longer distance. He had also dominated a sprint race at Ellis Park before that. His fast start at Ellis Park and then stretching out to win the Breeders’ Futurity showed that he had the ability to be a top contender.
At the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, East Avenue was the favorite but had a rough start when he stumbled badly out of the gate. Trainer Brendan Walsh explained that once East Avenue lost ground at the start, it was hard to recover. Even though it was a disappointing race, Walsh remains optimistic and sees it as just one of those things that happen in racing.
Looking Ahead: The Risen Star Stakes
East Avenue’s team is now looking forward to the next challenge on his path to the Kentucky Derby. The Risen Star Stakes, a Grade 2 race at Fair Grounds, is scheduled for February 15, 2025. This race is an important one because it offers valuable points toward the Kentucky Derby, and Sierra Leone, the Kentucky Derby runner-up in 2024, won it last year.
Trainer Brendan Walsh is confident that East Avenue will be ready for the Risen Star. He wants to make sure the horse is in great shape for the race, while also allowing for some improvement before the big day. East Avenue’s natural speed, combined with his calm and focused attitude, makes him a strong contender for the Risen Star.
Future Kentucky Derby Hopes
East Avenue’s future in the Kentucky Derby looks promising. He was listed at 15-1 in the second Kentucky Derby Future Wager, which shows that many people are still confident in his potential. Some sportsbooks, like Caesars, have him at 22-1 as of early January. Regardless of the odds, East Avenue’s strong workouts and positive outlook from his team make him a horse to watch on the Kentucky Derby trail.
East Avenue’s return to training after the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile shows that he’s ready for the challenges ahead. With an impressive workout and a clear goal to target the Risen Star Stakes in February, East Avenue is on track for a strong 2025 season. His journey to the Kentucky Derby is just beginning, and there’s no doubt that fans and bettors alike will be closely following his progress.
East Avenue’s potential as a Grade 1 winner and his strong early performances make him a horse to watch as the Kentucky Derby approaches. Stay tuned for more updates as he works his way toward the biggest race of the year!
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