East Avenue faces Kentucky Derby also-rans in G3 Matt Winn Stakes

G1 winning-colt East Avenue seeks to get back on track when he takes on four of his Kentucky Derby rivals in the G3 Matt Winn Stakes at Churchill Downs, USA, on Sunday, 8 June. 

The son of Medaglia d’Oro struggled on a sealed track in the Run for the Roses, coming home eighth behind Sovereignty in a race that also featured fellow Matt Winn contenders Final Gambit, Burnham Square, Chunk Of Gold and Coal Battle. 

In a sensational start to his career, East Avenue made an impressive introduction at Ellis Park before a dominant all-the-way success in Keeneland’s G1 Breeders' Futurity. 

A bad stumble cost East Avenue any chance in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, although he had no excuse for a disappointing return to action in the G2 Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds in February. 

More aggressive riding tactics nearly paid off in the G1 Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland’s Spring Meet, in which East Avenue was caught in the final strides to go down by a nose to Burnham Square. 

His trainer Brendan Walsh is looking to win the Matt Winn Stakes for a second time, having saddled Maxfield to victory in the 2020 edition, when the race was run as a Kentucky Derby trial. 

Michael Banahan, Director of Bloodstock, Godolphin USA, said: “East Avenue has been training and breezing with the same gusto that he has shown all year. Brendan couldn’t be happier with him as he tries to get back on track in the Matt Winn.

“He didn’t appear to care for the wet track on Derby Day and Manny Franco reported that he struggled somewhat on it. Hopefully, it will be a dry track at Churchill on Sunday.

“Luis Saez will ride him for the first time this weekend and Brendan thinks that he will be a very good fit for East Avenue. He breezed on the horse last Sunday and loved the way he did it.

“He drew the outside post, so Luis will get to see what way the race is shaping up by the first turn and hopefully can get a nice stalking position.

“Five of the seven runners are exiting the Kentucky Derby, including the fourth home Final Gambit. The race will give us a good indication of what direction we need to go for the rest of the season.

“We are confident that he has plenty of talent and can get back to competing at the top table going forward.”