Fourteen months after his nose loss in the 2025 Blue Grass Stakes (G1) at Keeneland, Godolphin's East Avenue came out on the winning end of a tight photo in the $156,000 Salvator Mile Stakes (G3) June 13 at Monmouth Park. Doggedly pursuing defending race winner Bishops Bay through the lane, East Avenue ultimately wore him down, poking his nose in front right on the wire.
Known for his early speed, which he used to win the Breeders' Futurity (G1) at Keeneland as a juvenile in 2024 and the Matt Winn Stakes (G3) at Churchill Downs last June, East Avenue was forced to utilize different tactics in Saturday's mile contest. Off a step slowly from his outside post position in the field of six, he rallied from last.
Moving up three wide on the second turn under jockey Tyler Gaffalione, East Avenue drew alongside Bishops Bay, who tired in the race's closing yards, and East Avenue nailed him on the wire. He raced a mile on a fast track in 1:35.99 following splits of :23.56 and :46.52—set by Carter Stakes (G2) winner Point Dume—before fractions of 1:10.36 and 1:23.21 from Bishops Bay.
"He just continued to grind," Gaffalione said. "He showed a lot of heart and would not give in. I'm very proud of him."
East Avenue, fourth in the Alysheba Stakes (G2) at Churchill Downs last month, paid $7.20 to win.
Bishops Bay finished a clear second, 5 3/4 lengths ahead of fading longshot show finisher Sea Streak.
The top two finishers receive free entry and start fees to the 1 1/8-mile Monmouth Cup Stakes (G3) July 18.
The victory for the Brendan Walsh-trained East Avenue was his fourth in 11 starts, and improved his earnings to $1,131,245 for Godolphin. The 4-year-old son of Medaglia d'Oro was bred in Kentucky by Godolphin out of the Ghostzapper mare Dance Music.
"I think this year he has finally been piecing it all together," Walsh said.
Video: Salvator Mile S. (G3)
Baby Vino, Program Trading Shine In Ungraded Stakes
In ungraded stakes action on the card, last-out maiden winner Baby Vino showcased stakes promise by dusting the opposition by 10 3/4 lengths in the $122,500 Pegasus Stakes under Paco Lopez, who won six races on the card. The 3-year-old son of Vino Rosso , trained by Lindsay Schultz for Cosmo Stables, stalked the pace before overpowering his foes. He sped 1 1/16 miles in 1:44.36, leaving runner-up Schoolyardsuperman and third-place finisher National Charter in his wake. He paid $7.80 to win. The top two finishers receive a free entry and start fees to the $1 million Haskell Stakes (G1).
Video: NYRA Bets Pegasus S. (BT)
A race later, three-time grade 1 winner Program Trading notched his first victory in eight starts since taking the Turf Classic Stakes (G1T) in the spring of 2024 with a 2-length score in the $125,000 Monmouth Stakes. A few lengths off the early pace for much of the race under Flavien Prat, the Chad Brown trainee went after Sand Pipes at the head of the stretch, put that one away, and comfortably fended off stablemate Nebras. The Klaravich Stables-owned winner raced 1 1/8 miles on firm turf in 1:48.71 and paid $2.60. The top two finishers receive a free entry and start fees to the United Nations Stakes (G2T).
