EAST AVENUE WORKS TOWARD TOYOTA BLUE GRASS START
Barn notes by Keeneland’s publicity department (Coady Media/Renee Torbit photo of East Avenue winning last fall’s G1 Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity)
Godolphin’s East Avenue, dominant winner of the Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity (G1) here last fall after romping in his Ellis Park debut, completed his final major preparations for next Saturday’s $1.25 million Toyota Blue Grass (G1) by working a half-mile in :47 over a fast track.
With Stephen Dolan aboard for trainer Brendan Walsh, East Avenue started 2 lengths in front of workmate Gosger, a 3-year-old maiden winner, and was 3 lengths in front at the wire. Fractions for the work were :23.40, :47 and galloping out 5 furlongs in 1:00.40.
“It was just a maintenance work; he did all of his major work at Fair Grounds,” said Paul Madden, assistant to Walsh. “I got his last quarter in 23 and 4. He picked up a little company (from two other workers) at the top of the stretch, but Stephen said he didn’t mind it at all.”
The work was penciled in for Sunday and Walsh was scheduled to fly here from South Florida Saturday night, but with stormy weather forecasted for the next few days in the Lexington area, the work was moved up a day.
East Avenue will need a new rider for the Toyota Blue Grass because regular partner Tyler Gaffalione is sidelined with a broken ankle. That rider is to be determined.
Also working toward a possible Toyota Blue Grass start was Render Judgment, who covered 5 furlongs in 1:02.20. Trained by Kenny McPeek for the partnership of Baccari Racing Stable, Dream Walkin Farms, MJM Racing and Rocket Ship Racing, Render Judgment was runner-up in the recent Virginia Derby in his previous start.
CARL SPACKLER (IRE) HEADLINES NOMINEES FOR MAKER’S MARK MILE
E Five Racing Thoroughbreds’ millionaire Carl Spackler (IRE), a two-time Grade 1 winner including last fall’s Coolmore Turf Mile at Keeneland, heads a roster of 22 nominees for the 37th running of the $650,000 Maker’s Mark Mile (G1) to be contested Friday, April 11.
Chad Brown, who won the 2021 Maker’s Mark Mile with Raging Bull (FR), trains Carl Spackler.
The Maker’s Mark Mile, for 4-year-olds and up, is one of five stakes to be held over the second weekend of the 15-day Keeneland Spring Meet.
Also on April 11 is the sixth running of the $300,000 FanDuel Limestone (L) for 3-year-old fillies going 5½ furlongs on the turf. The race drew 47 nominations headed by BBN Racing’s Kilwin, the stakes-winning Rusty Arnold trainee who closed 2024 with a fifth-place finish in the John Deere Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1) at Del Mar.
The 37th running of the $650,000 Jenny Wiley (G1) for fillies and mares going 1 1/16 miles on the grass headlines two stakes on Saturday, April 12.
The race attracted 22 nominees headed by trainer George Weaver’s Sacred Wish, winner of the Matriarch (G1) last fall at Del Mar for the ownership group of Black Type Thoroughbreds, Swinbank Stables, Steve Adkisson, Christopher Dunn and Anthony Spinazzola.
Also on April 12 is the 43rd running of the $400,000 Stonestreet Lexington (G3) for 3-year-olds and the final stop on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. The 1 1/16-mile main track test attracted 54 nominations that include recent Virginia Derby winner American Promise, trained by D. Wayne Lukas for BC Stables, and Bullard, winner of last fall’s Bob Hope (G3) for trainer Michael McCarthy. Bullard is owned by the partnership of By Talla, St. Elias Stables, Three Chimneys Farm and West Point Thoroughbreds.
The 28th running of the $350,000 Giant’s Causeway (G3) for fillies and mares going 5½ furlongs on the grass to be run Sunday, April 13, drew 23 nominees headed by multiple graded stakes winner Ag Bullet. Trained by Richard Baltas and owned by Calvin Nguyen and Joey Tran, Ag Bullet finished third against males in the Prevagen Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1) in her most recent sprint outing.
PROSPECTIVE OPENING WEEKEND STAKES FIELDS
Entries taken Monday; races Friday, April 4
$750,000 CENTRAL BANK ASHLAND (G1) – Five G (trainer George Weaver), La Cara (Mark Casse), Muhimma (Brad Cox), Running Away (Wesley Ward), Supa Speed (John Sadler). Possible: Anonima (Kenny McPeek)
$600,000 TRANSYLVANIA (G3) PRESENTED BY KEENELAND SELECT – Barricade (Todd Pletcher), Boy Boy (Ben Colebrook), Golden Afternoon (Nick Vaccarezza), Hammerhead (Chad Summers), Mi Bago (Casse), Reagan’s Wit (Cherie DeVaux), Sabertooth (Brittany Russell), Test Score (Graham Motion), Tom’s Magic (Mike Stidham). Possible: Clock Tower (Ward).
$400,000 LAFAYETTE (L) – Itsmybirthday (Robertino Diodoro), Rolando (Fausto Gutierrez), Smoken Wicked (Dallas Stewart).
Entries taken Tuesday; races Saturday, April 5
$1,250,000 TOYOTA BLUE GRASS (G1) – Burnham Square (Ian Wilkes), Caldera (D. Wayne Lukas), Chancer McPatrick (Brown), East Avenue (Brendan Walsh), Owen Almighty (Brian Lynch), Render Judgment (McPeek), River Thames (Pletcher).
$650,000 RESOLUTE RACING MADISON (G1) – Dazzling Move (Saffie Joseph Jr.), Emery (Brad Cox), Justique (DeVaux), Mystic Lake (Joseph Jr.), Scylla (Bill Mott). Possible: Royal Spa (Rodolphe Brisset).
$500,000 APPALACHIAN (G2) PRESENTED BY JAPAN RACING ASSOCIATION – Foxtastic (Josie Carroll), Lush Lips (GB) (Walsh), Nitrogen (Casse), Totally Justified (Rusty Arnold), Vixen (Casse). Possible: Good Temper (Will Walden), Presha (Walden), Ramsey Pond (Joseph Jr.).
$400,000 VALVOLINE GLOBAL SHAKERTOWN (G2) – Arzak (Mike Trombetta), Coppola (Dale Romans), Our Shot (John P. Terranova II), Petcoff (Russell), Rogue Lightning (IRE) (Tom Clover). Possible: Arrest Me Red (Ward), Mountain Bear (IRE) (Ward), Run Carson (Kelsey Danner), Shards (Danner).
$350,000 COMMONWEALTH (G3) – Best Actor (Ed Moger Jr.), Extra Anejo (Steve Asmussen), Hoist the Gold (Stewart), Nutella Fella (Gary Contessa), Prince of Power (Jesus Esquivel).
Entries taken Tuesday; races Sunday, April 6
$400,000 MIDDLEGROUND CAPITAL BEAUMONT (G2) – G W’s Girl (Greg Compton), Verity (Eoin Harty). Possible: Eclatant (Cox).
$300,000 PALISADES (L) – Flat to Da Mat (Mike Maker), Makeit to Cheyenne (Joe Orseno), Out On Bail (Maker). Possible: Brie’s in Town (John Ennis), Warheart (Brisset).
WORK TAB
KatieRich Stables’ May Day Ready, winner of last fall’s Jessamine (G2) Presented by Keeneland Sales, worked 3 furlongs in company in :36.20 on the main track. … Red White and Blue Racing’s Neat, winner of last spring’s Transylvania (G3) Presented by Keeneland Select, worked a half-mile in :49.20.
