Trainer Ian Wilkes enjoyed a banner day Tuesday, winning both of Keeneland's Grade I features–the Toyota Blue Grass with Burnham Square (Liam's Map) in addition to Positano Sunset's (Goldencents) score in the Resolute Racing Madison.
“Both horses got back last night to Churchill,” Wilkes said Wednesday morning from his main base in Louisville. “Everything is all good. It was a really exciting day for everyone involved.”
Whitham Thoroughbreds' Burnham Square got up in the last stride to edge East Avenue (Medaglia d'Oro) by a nose in the Blue Grass with River Thames finishing third.
“I joked with Carl [Nafzger] and said I'm one up on him in the Blue Grass,” said Wilkes, who worked for Nafzger when he won the Kentucky Derby with Unbridled and Street Sense. Both horses were defeated in the Blue Grass in their final preps before the Derby.
In the seven-furlong Resolute Racing Madison, 14-1 longshot Positano Sunset posted a one-length victory over favored Emery.
Owned by the partnership of Six Column Stables, Randall Bloch, John Seiler and David Hall, Positano Sunset possibly could make her next start in the May 3 GI Derby City Distaff going seven furlongs at Churchill Downs.
Although he did not bring home the top prize, trainer Brendan Walsh was thrilled with the runner-up effort turned in by Godolphin's East Avenue in the nine-furlong Classic prep.
“He's doing well this morning,” Walsh said of last season's GI Breeders' Futurity winner. “He ran a great race. Those horses came to him and he fought back, and that's what we wanted to see.”
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