Updated profiles, with post positions and track odds for the 20 3-year-olds entered for the 151st running of the $5 million Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downs is Saturday (May 3).
Sometimes, a gut-wrenching loss can feel like a win. East Avenue led for every stride of the Blue Grass (G1) except for the final one, when Burnham Square edged him by a nose. It stung, but upon reflection, trainer Brendan Walsh felt pretty good.
The dramatic return to form came after two miserable performances as a heavy favorite -- ninth at 9-5 odds in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) and 10th, beaten 22 lengths, at 4-5 in the Risen Star (G2), East Avenue's 3-year-old debut. Besides showing Walsh that he still had a quality horse, East Avenue earned 50 points and qualified for the Kentucky Derby leaderboard.
“We were delighted with what we saw the other day," Walsh said. "We were very aggressive with the horse, and he nearly managed to pull it off. He showed a lot of courage. He belly flopped and fought a fight, and I was very proud of how he went.
“I think he answered just about every call today.”
Along with the relief and redemption, however, there are a few major caveats. East Avenue faded throughout a 13.44-second final furlong after leading by a length at the eighth pole, and the time for 1 1/8 miles was an unimpressive 1:51.33. Another problem: He's one-dimensional in a Derby with four other need-to-lead types: Rodriguez, Citizen Bull, Owen Almighty, and American Promise. That projected pace scenario puts East Avenue in a very tough spot.
East Avenue never has shown the ability to pass horses, and it seems very unlikely that he could hold the lead throughout 1 1/4 miles. No bet.
Notes: Sheikh Mohammed al Maktoum's Godolphin Stable has been chasing the Kentucky Derby in vain since the Nineties. The international breeding and racing superpower from Dubai is 0-for-12 in the race, with its best finish a third by Essential Quality in 2021 ... East Avenue would be Walsh's first Derby runner for Godolphin. The 51-year-old Irishman is 0-for-1 in the race,
The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.
