Kentucky Derby Horse Profile: East Avenue

Oct 08, 2024 John Mucciolo/TwinSpires.com

Godolphin homebred East Avenue picked up 10 points on the 2025 Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge series after posting a facile 5 1/4-length victory in the $594,063 Breeders’ Futurity (G1) at Keeneland on Oct. 5. The 2.78-1 second choice went 1 1/16 miles on the fast dirt strip in 1:43.17 under the guidance of jockey Tyler Gaffalione.

His pilot stated after the race, “I had plenty of horse left. He’s pretty special. I’m really excited about him.”

Ferocious, Filoso, Dapper Moon, and Mesero rounded out the top five and picked up qualifying points on a 5-3-2-1 basis, respectively.

Trained by Brendan Walsh, the Kentucky-bred is the first foal out of the unraced Ghostzapper mare Dance Music, who is a half-sister to 2023 Horse of the Year Cody’s Wish as well as Grade 2 winner Endorsed.

East Avenue was much the best and picks up 10 #KentuckyDerby points in the G1 Breeders' Futurity! 🏆🌹 @Tyler_Gaff @brenpwalsh @godolphin

🎥#TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/p53htmMtbs

— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) October 5, 2024

Walsh said following the colt’s dominant effort, “I’ve been lucky enough to have a couple of very good horses the last two years, especially with Godolphin, and he seemed like he was right up there. I was just waiting for confirmation. I think he’s a very special horse.”

East Avenue debuted at Ellis Park on Aug. 24 in a six-furlong dash on the dirt and led at every call en route to an eight-length waltz under the wire. He has yet to be headed from two career attempts to date, and his lifetime line now reads 2-2-0-0, $390,645.

The winner has registered Brisnet Speed figures of 90 and 95 from his two lifetime outings to date, and he is expected to be heading towards a start in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) on Nov. 1. East Avenue has a very high ceiling going forward, and the son of Medaglia d’Oro figures to be among the betting favorites at Del Mar.