TDN RISING STARS

August 24, 2024 - Ellis Park, Race 5, Msw, USD $71,000, 6F

East Avenue, C, 2, 2022 by Medaglia d'Oro

1st Dam: Dance Music, by Ghostzapper
2nd Dam: Dance Card, by Tapit
3rd Dam: Tempting Note, by Editor's Note

Owner: Godolphin LLC
Breeder: Godolphin (KY)
Trainer: Brendan P. Walsh

A royally-bred son of Medaglia d'Oro, East Avenue lived up to the expectations of both his breeding and the wagering public Saturday to become the newest 'TDN Rising Star' to wear the Royal Blue for Godolphin.

Backed down to 6-5 at post, East Avenue had things all his own way right from the opening strides and assumed command of the field while clearing down to the rail. The lead only grew as the fractions clicked off in :23.21 and :46.44 and, while Campaign Trail (Global Campaign) and Poppa Echo (Echo Town) battled it out behind him, the favorite was opening up under Luan Machado and the race was only for second. Coming home and drive out to the wire, East Avenue came in eight lengths ahead of Poppa Echo who was subsequently disqualified for veering out at the start and placed fifth, elevating Campaign Trail to second.

The 34th 'TDN Rising Star' for Medgalia d'Oro, East Avenue is the first foal out of the unraced mare Dance Music, a daughter of GISW Dance Card (Tapit). Godolphin, who bought into Dance Card as a 2-year-old for $750,000 in 2011, were rewarded further with her broodmare career have produced the likes of Horse of the Year Cody's Wish (Curlin), MGSW Endorsed (Medaglia d'Oro) and SP Bocephus (Medaglia d'Oro). East Avenue has a yearling half-brother by Hard Spun and a weanling half-sister by Authentic while Dance Music was reported bred to Not This Time for 2025.