By Patrycja Szpyra
The 'TDN Rising Stars, presented by Hagyard' were neck-and-neck late, but East Avenue (Medaglia d'Oro) had just enough to produce a final jump and narrowly catch ultra-game Bishops Bay (Uncle Mo) in the final strides to win the GIII Salvator Mile.
Winless since June 2025 when he took home the GIII Matt Winn Stakes beneath the Twin Spires, the Godolphin homebred went onto the shelf after his fifth-place finish last August in the GIII West Virginia Derby. He returned Mar. 28 at Oaklawn Park in the GIII Oaklawn Mile, and ran second by three-quarters of a length. He was last seen fading to fourth in the GII Alysheba Stakes May 1 at Churchill Downs.
Sent off at 5-2 odds with Bishops Bay crowned the 4-5 favorite, the 2024 GI Breeders' Futurity hero raced along at the back off contested early fractions courtesy of the betting choice as that one pushed the leader through an opening quarter in :23.56. The frontrunner threw in the towel on the turn as Bishops Bay took over, and East Avenue was building up a rally under a full head of steam on the overland path turning for home.
The pair locked horns in midstretch, and battled to the line in a race that deserved no loser with East Avenue ultimately prevailing in the photo over a valiant Bishops Bay. Sea Streak (Sea Wizard) finished third at massive 65-1 odds.
“It appears [East Avenue] might be back by the looks of that race,” said trainer Brendan Walsh. “He showed great heart today. He battled hard. He's a very solid horse. I think this year he has finally been piecing it all together. I don't think he learned a lot as a young horse because he was so good right away. He's had some issues as well.”
“We'll see where we go from here. It was great to see the fight he showed. We'll enjoy this and see where we go next. We'll pick our spots. I think we can achieve something with him this year.”
Jockey Tyler Gaffalione was also impressed with East Avenue's effort, saying, “I had to work a little bit harder than I expected to. He was traveling well down the backstretch and when we got to the turn they quickened. It just took a little bit from there for him to get going. He just continued to grind. He showed a lot of heart and would not give in. I'm very proud of him.”
“This is a special horse to me. I've been with [East Avenue] before he ever ran. I was working him then. I spent a lot of time in the mornings with him. It's nice to see him put in an effort like this today.”
🏇🏽 EAST AVENUE ($7.20) returns to the winner's circle with @Tyler_Gaff up after a 📸 photo finish in the $150,000 Salvator Mile Stakes (G3) at @MonmouthPark for trainer @brenpwalsh and owner & breeder @Godolphin. pic.twitter.com/Kzy5bblN8f
— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) June 13, 2026
Pedigree Notes:
East Avenue hails from an accomplished Godolphin family, as his dam is a half-sister to Horse of the Year Cody's Wish (Curlin) and MGSW Endorsed (Medaglia d'Oro). Dance Music (Ghostzapper) claims unplaced 3-year-old Bandstand (Hard Spun) after this winner, who is her first foal, as well as a juvenile filly named Bonhomie (Authentic). The mare's youngest is a yearling colt by Not This Time.
The second dam, Dance Card (Tapit), was a stakes winner at Belmont who ran third in the GI Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint before retiring to a breeding career that saw her crowned as the 2023 Broodmare of the Year.
Saturday, Monmouth
SALVATOR MILE S.-GIII, $156,000, Monmouth, 6-13, 3yo/up, 1m, 1:35.99, ft.
1–EAST AVENUE, 118, c, 4, by Medaglia d'Oro
1st Dam: Dance Music, by Ghostzapper
2nd Dam: Dance Card, by Tapit
3rd Dam: Tempting Note, by Editor's Note
'TDN Rising Star'. O/B-Godolphin (KY); T-Brendan P. Walsh; J-Tyler Gaffalione. $90,000. Lifetime Record: GISW, 11-4-2-0, $1,131,245. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Bishops Bay, 118, h, 6, Uncle Mo–Catch My Drift, by Pioneerof the Nile. 'TDN Rising Star'. ($450,000 Ylg '21 KEESEP; $1,300,000 5yo '25 KEENOV). O-KAS Stables; B-WinStar Farm, LLC (KY); T-Brad H. Cox. $30,000.
3–Sea Streak, 118, g, 5, Sea Wizard–High Noon Nellie, by Silver Deputy. 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. O/B-Holly Crest Farm (NJ); T-Eddie Owens, Jr. $21,000.
Margins: NO, 5 3/4, 6HF. Odds: 2.60, 0.80, 65.90.
Also Ran: Grand Mo the First, Point Dume, Grande. Scratched: Giocoso, Offaly Cool, Otter Mischief. Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
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