Perfect weekend for Godolphin: East Avenue shines in the Matt Winn Stakes

Just one day after Sovereignty’s Belmont triumph, Godolphin struck again as Brendan Walsh’s charge East Avenuedelivered an authoritative performance at Churchill Downs, putting his Kentucky Derby misstep firmly behind him

East Avenue outfinished Burnham Square to shine brilliantly at Churchill Downs / CHURCHILL DOWNS

LOUISVILLE, Kentucky (Special for Turf Diario).- After his misstep in the Kentucky Derby (G1), East Avenue regained his form and powered to a front-running victory in the Matt Winn Stakes (G3, 1700m, dirt, $387,000) Sunday at Churchill Downs, defeating Burnham Square (Liam’s Map) and Coal Battle (Coal Front) with grit and determination.

Guided confidently by Panamanian jockey Luis Sáez, Brendan Walsh’s charge showed strength throughout, dictating the pace from the break and holding off late challenges in the stretch. The Godolphin bay, coming off an eighth-place finish in the Run for the Roses, clocked 1:42.12 over a fast track.

The victory was particularly sweet for the royal blue team, who had celebrated a major triumph the day before when Sovereignty (Into Mischief) captured the Belmont Stakes (G1) at Saratoga, completing a dream weekend. This marked East Avenue’s second black-type win, following his G1 Breeders’ Futurity triumph at Keeneland last fall.

Breaking from the far outside post, East Avenue broke alertly and swiftly assumed command, posting splits of 24.41, 47.66, and 1:11.38 as Coal Battle, winner of the Rebel Stakes (G2), pressed closely and Blue Grass Stakes (G1) hero Burnham Square settled into third. Further back was Kentucky Derby finalist Final Gambit (Not This Time), who encountered some early trouble.

In the stretch, Coal Battle challenged from the outside while Burnham Square tried to sneak through on the rail, but East Avenue showcased toughness, repelling both bids to score a gritty and rejuvenating win.

“The plan was to take the lead, and everything went as expected,” said Sáez after the race. “We were able to get into a good pace, and when the challengers came, he responded like a brave horse. I was impressed by how he held on.”

Paying $4.94 to win, East Avenue defeated Burnham Square by three-quarters of a length, with Coal Battle another three-quarters back in third. Final Gambit, fourth in the Derby and the second choice in betting, faded to last, finishing 3 1/2 lengths behind.

With the win, East Avenue improved his record to three wins in seven starts, earnings now totaling $901,395. Trainer Brendan Walsh commented, “The distance suited him perfectly. When he can lead, he turns into a very courageous horse. Today he responded like a true warrior against top-level competition.”

By Medaglia d’Oro out of Dance Music (Ghostzapper), East Avenue was bred in Kentucky by Godolphin and became the second Matt Winn Stakes winner for the Walsh-Godolphin partnership, which also scored with Maxfield(Street Sense) in 2020.

The race honors Matt Winn, the legendary president of Churchill Downs and a pivotal figure in the history of the racetrack and the Kentucky Derby.