The $156,000 Grade 3 Salvator Mile Stakes, held on June 13 at Monmouth Park, saw Godolphin’s East Avenue clinch a narrow victory in a photo finish. After relentlessly tracking Bishops Bay, the previous race champion, throughout the stretch, East Avenue eventually outlasted him, securing the lead by a nose precisely at the finish line.
Despite typically demonstrating initial quickness, East Avenue had to employ a modified strategy in the mile-long competition on Saturday at Monmouth. Starting slightly behind schedule from his outermost gate in a six-horse lineup, he managed to surge from the back to claim first place.
With jockey Tyler Gaffalione guiding him, East Avenue advanced three-wide around the second bend, pulling even with the fast Bishops Bay, who initially held his position. When Bishops Bay started to fatigue during the final stages of the contest, East Avenue successfully caught him right at the wire. He completed the mile on a quick surface in 1:35.99, yielding a $7.20 payout for a win.
“He simply maintained his effort,” stated Gaffalione. “He exhibited immense courage and refused to yield. I have great admiration for him.”
Bishops Bay secured a distinct second place, finishing 5 3/4 lengths ahead of Sea Streak, the longshot who faded to third after having pressed Bishops Bay around the second bend.
Complimentary entry and starting fees for the Grade 3 Monmouth Cup Stakes, a 1 1/8-mile race scheduled for July 18, are awarded to the two leading contenders.
This triumph marked the fourth win in 11 starts for East Avenue, who is trained by Brendan Walsh. His total prize money for Godolphin now stands at an improved $1,131,245.
“I believe this year he has at last managed to consolidate his performance,” Walsh commented.
During the ungraded stakes events featured on the program, last-out maiden winner Baby Vino demonstrated significant potential by easily dominating his competitors in the $122,500 Pegasus Stakes, winning by 10 3/4 lengths with jockey Paco Lopez.
Baby Vino, a bay three-year-old colt by Vino Rosso, under the guidance of trainer Lindsay Schultz for Cosmo Stables, shadowed the leading horses initially before overwhelming his rivals with a surge towards the end of the second turn and down the straight. He completed the 1 1/16 miles in a swift 1:44.36, leaving Schoolyardsuperman in second and National Charter in third far behind. His winning payout was $7.80.
Complimentary admission and registration charges for the $1 million Grade 1 NYRA Bets Haskell Stakes, scheduled for July 18, are granted to the two leading horses.
Program Trading, a three-time Grade 1 winner in his career, secured his initial triumph in eight races since spring 2024, achieving a two-length victory in the $125,000 Monmouth Stakes.
Positioned several lengths behind the initial leaders for most of the event with jockey Flavien Prat aboard, the Chad Brown-conditioned Program Trading (paying $2.60) challenged Sand Pipes at the top of the homestretch, dispatched that competitor, and then successfully resisted his stablemate Nebras. The Klaravich Stables’ victor completed the 1 1/8 miles on firm grass in 1:48.71.
The leading pair were granted free admission and racing fees for the Grade 2 United Nations Stakes, scheduled for the upcoming month on July 18.
A period of nine months away from racing posed no obstacle for Newstead Stables’ Gimme a Nother in the $150,000 Grade 3 Eatontown Stakes on June 13 at Monmouth Park. Showing renewed vigor under trainer Graham Motion, the six-year-old mare achieved a clear win, accelerating past her rivals in the 1 1/16-mile turf event to finish 3 1/2 lengths in front of Whiskey Decision, who was the favored horse but finished behind her. Grayosh secured the third position.
The victorious horse, originally from South Africa, registered a time of 1:42.90 on the firm grass track and paid $4.40 for a $2 win bet.
“She is an exceptionally skilled mare,” commented jockey Jorge Ruiz. “She rendered my task quite straightforward.”
Gimme a Nother achieved her second graded stakes triumph in six outings since she commenced racing in the United States in March 2025. Prior to this, she had an unblemished record of seven wins in South Africa, where she claimed multiple Group 1 titles.
“Her career in the United States began somewhat gradually, but recently, her performance has been flawless,” stated Ian Wilson, assistant trainer to Motion.
The two highest-placing horses in the Eatontown Stakes were granted entries with all fees covered into the Grade 3 Winstar Matchmaker Stakes on July 18 at Monmouth Park. — Jessica Licausi
