East Avenue Works for Blue Grass

[Wandering Eyes]

Godolphin's East Avenue (Medaglia d'Oro), winner of last year's GI Claiborne Breeders' Futurity, tuned up for next Saturday's GI Toyota Blue Grass Stakes with a four-furlong work in :47.00 (7/106) at Keeneland Saturday.

With Stephen Dolan aboard for trainer Brendan Walsh, East Avenue started two lengths in front of workmate Gosger (Nyquist), a 3-year-old maiden winner, and was three lengths in front at the wire. He galloped out five furlongs in 1:00.40.

“It was just a maintenance work; he did all of his major work at Fair Grounds,” said Paul Madden, assistant to Walsh. “I got his last quarter in :23 and 4. He picked up a little company [from two other workers] at the top of the stretch, but Stephen said he didn't mind it at all.”

With Walsh scheduled to fly into Kentucky Saturday night, the work had been penciled in for Sunday, but with stormy weather forecasted for the next few days in the Lexington area, it was moved up a day.

Since winning the Breeders' Futurity in his second lifetime start last October, East Avenue has disappointed as the favorite when ninth in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile and 10th in the Feb. 15 GII Risen Star Stakes.

With regular pilot Tyler Gaffalione sidelined by a broken ankle, East Avenue will need a new rider for the Blue Grass, but that decision is still to be announced.

Also working toward a possible Blue Grass start Saturday at Keeneland was Render Judgment (Blame), who went five furlongs in 1:02.20 (17/31). Trained by Kenny McPeek for the partnership of Baccari Racing Stable, Dream Walkin Farms, MJM Racing and Rocket Ship Racing, Render Judgment was most recently second in the Mar. 15 Virginia Derby.

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