East Avenue proves streets ahead of G1 Breeders’ Futurity rivals

East Avenue emulated Maxfield and Essential Quality with victory in the G1 Breeders’ Futurity as he produced a blistering gate-to-wire success in the extended-mile contest for juveniles at Keeneland, USA, on Saturday, 5 October.  

Stepping up in trip after a dominant debut win over six furlongs at Ellis Park, the Brendan Walsh-trained colt broke quickest of all and made a beeline for the inside rail entering the first turn, a move that caused interference to Ferocious and Optical.  

East Avenue soon went on into a length and a half lead, and the Medaglia d’Oro homebred looked to have all 10 of his rivals under pressure approaching the final quarter-mile.  

Tyler Gaffalione kicked on soon after and East Avenue readily increased his advantage to four lengths at the top of the home straight. He powered further clear a furlong out and was allowed to coast home, hitting the line five and a quarter lengths clear of Ferocious.  Connections of Ferocious lodged an objection due to the first-turn interference, although the stewards made no change to the result.  

Brendan Walsh said: “I have been lucky enough that we have had some very good horses over the last few years, especially with Godolphin. East Avenue seemed like he was right up there and I was just waiting for confirmation. I think he is a very special horse.”  

Tyler Gaffalione added: “I had plenty of horse left and East Avenue is pretty special. I’m really excited about him.” 

Michael Banahan, Director of Bloodstock, Godolphin USA, said: “We have a great bunch of two-year-olds this year, with plenty of good winners. East Avenue and [Darley Alcibiades Stakes winner] Immersive have risen to the top and it’s an unbelievable weekend to win the two G1s at our home track of Keeneland.   

“East Avenue winning as impressively as he did probably ranks up there with Maxfield winning the Futurity in 2019. Maxfield did it differently, he came from off the pace, but there were some really good horses in today’s race. Tyler said that he would let East Avenue loose and show people what he could really do.   

“We have an awful lot to look forward to and we are super excited to win with a homebred by Medaglia d’Oro, who is in the pensioner stage of his career. To have a horse this good come along is super for him.   

“We will be going to the Breeders’ Cup full of confidence with both East Avenue and Immersive. Hopefully, they have a good month, we get there healthy and well, and they are able to show what they can do in California.”