The fields for the 14 races that comprise the Breeders’ Cup World Championships really begin to come into focus in summer and fall. This regular feature will offer a snapshot profile of one of the previous weekend’s standout stars, usually a Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” Challenge Series winner, and whether I’m buying or selling their chances to win Nov. 1-2 at Del Mar.

This week we take a closer look at East Avenue, winner of the $594,063 Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity Oct. 5 at Keeneland Race Course. The Medaglia d’Oro colt’s dominant, front-running 5 ¼-length win earned him an expenses-paid berth in the Nov. 1 FanDuel Breeders' Cup Juvenile Presented by TAA at Del Mar via the “Win and You’re In” Challenge Series.

Accomplishments: East Avenue improved to 2-for-2 in his career with a 5 ¼-length runaway victory in the Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity. He used his high cruising speed to take command early in the race and open a clear advantage, led by two lengths after three-quarters of a mile, and surged well clear in the stretch under a hand ride from jockey Tyler Gaffalione. East Avenue coasted through much of the final sixteenth of a mile, looking every bit a dominant winner.

The Medaglia d’Oro colt began his career with an eight-length romp at Ellis Park using similar pacesetting tactics in a three-quarter-mile race, and he showed signs that he might handle added distance with a final quarter-mile in :24.12 in his debut.

The Breeders’ Futurity was a test of both class (his stakes debut) and distance in stretching out to 1 1/16 miles, and East Avenue proved up to the challenge.

“He ran great, and it was good to see him get it done,” trainer Brendan Walsh said. “There is always a concern going from three-quarters of a mile to two turns, but he showed what kind of horse he is.”

East Avenue completed his final eighth of a mile in :12.95 in the Breeders’ Futurity, which was not as fast as his previous race, but he also was never really asked in the stretch. Once the race’s outcome was decided, Gaffalione left some fuel in the tank for the Breeders’ Cup in four weeks.

“I had plenty of horse left,” the winning jockey said. “He’s pretty special; I’m really excited about him.”

Hopeful Stakes runner-up Ferocious was 5 ¼ lengths back in second but also 4 ¼ lengths clear of third-place finisher Filoso, so East Avenue was 9 ½ lengths or more ahead of the other nine 2-year-olds in the race.

In addition to punching his ticket to the FanDuel Juvenile, East Avenue earned 10 qualifying points toward a potential starting-gate spot in the 2025 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve with his win in the Breeders’ Futurity.

In the Keeneland paddock pre-race. (Eclipse Sportswire)

Speed Figures: East Avenue improved his Equibase Speed Figure from a 91 in his debut to a 99 for the Breeders’ Futurity. He likewise improved his Beyer Speed Figure from an 86 to a 95, which is the best figure to date earned by a 2-year-old in 2024 in a two-turn race.

The winning Equibase Speed Figure for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile has ranged from a 95 to a 116 over the last decade (2014-2023), with an average of 105. The winning Beyer Speed Figure for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile over the last 10 years has ranged from 87 to 105 with an average of 96.6. East Avenue is well within striking distance if he makes an incremental improvement in the third race of his career.

Looking Ahead: A homebred of the powerful Godolphin breeding-racing operation of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, East Avenue was bred to be a racehorse. He is by top sire Medaglia d’Oro, whose best runners include 2009 Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra and champion Songbird. East Avenue’s dam (mother) is the Ghostzapper mare Dance Card, whose half-siblings (same dam, different sire) include 2023 Horse of the Year Cody’s Wish and multiple graded stakes winner Endorsed.

So, when you pair the natural ability shown in two races with a powerhouse pedigree, East Avenue looks like a potential star in the making.

“I’ve been lucky enough to have a couple of very good horses the last two years, especially with [owner] Godolphin, and he seemed like he was right up there. I was just waiting for confirmation,” Walsh said. “I think he’s a very special horse.”

Can he take another step forward on four weeks rest in his third start? The Breeders’ Cup Juvenile is a tough race and will provide another class test, but I don’t see why East Avenue can’t win on Nov. 1 at Del Mar. There are several other talented 2-year-olds on target for the race, but if I was Godolphin, Walsh, and Gaffalione, I wouldn’t trade places with anyone.