East Avenue times it right in G3 Salvator Mile

East Avenue picked up a third Graded Stakes win as he headed Bishops Bay on the line in a thrilling edition of the G3 Salvator Mile at Monmouth Park, USA, on Saturday, 13 June. 

The Medaglia d’Oro colt, aiming to add to his victories in the 2024 G1 Breeders’ Futurity and 2025 G3 Matt Winn Stakes, was half a stride slow leaving the stalls under Tyler Gaffalione and raced in last of six on the outside of a tightly grouped field. 

Having graduated to fourth leaving the back, East Avenue went third turning in and ranged up on the outside of Bishops Bay and Sea Streak entering the straight.

Sea Streak soon faded, although Bishops Bay found more and repelled East Avenue as the duo forged clear entering the final furlong. East Avenue rallied close home to join Bishops Bay passing the line, with the Brendan Walsh-trained runner getting the verdict by a nose. 

Tyler Gaffalione said: “I’m so happy, not only for East Avenue but also for connections – they have put in a lot of hard work with this horse and he has rewarded them well today. He ran a big race.

“I had to work on him a little bit, but he kept coming and kept trying. He has a lot of heart and I am very proud of his effort. He has a ton of ability, but we just haven’t really got it out of him yet – it is coming!”