Preparing for Risen Star, Jonathan’s Way Fires Bullet and East Avenue Breezes From the Gates

By Kevin Kilroy —-

Preparing for Risen Star, Jonathan’s Way Fires Bullet and East Avenue Breezes From the Gates

New Orleans, La (Feb. 2, 2024) – Preparing to make their sophomore debut in the $500,000 Risen Star (G2) on Louisiana Derby Preview Day, both Jonathan’s Way and East Avenue breezed at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots on Saturday. Two of the most highly-regarded juveniles, each colt won a Derby prep as a freshman and will look to all but secure a spot in the 151st Kentucky Derby starting gates with a win or second-place finish in the 1 1/8 miles Risen Star, the first Derby prep on the calendar to award 50-25-15-10-5 points to the top five finishers.

Firing the bullet for his trainer Phil Bauer, Rigney Racing’s Jonathan’s Way breezed 5/8ths in 1:00.20 on Saturday, going in company with stablemate Kalahari Dreams.

“(Jonathan’s Way) sat right off of him going away from the pole,” Bauer said. “He left around a length behind, loomed up and running through the wire was starting to be the best without much encouragement. They finished up really well. I was as happy as I could be with the breeze, especially with the gallop out.”

Jose Ortiz has been up for the Ohio-bred’s last three drills, and Bauer confirmed that current meet-leading jockey has been named to ride Jonathan’s Way in the Risen Star.

“I told Jose (Ortiz) don’t let him get lazy on you, so he just flagged him with his whip right when they hit the 7/8ths pole, and (Jonathan’s Way) put three lengths on (Kalahari Dreams) like it was nothing,” Bauer said. “He went to the backside, switched to his right lead, Jose flagged him one more time and he had one more gear. We’re right where we want to be.”

Saturday’s work was Jonathan’s Way fifth locally and his third published drill going 5 furlongs.

“I thought the move last week was very good but he left his company too early in the breeze and he got to idling on us so I wanted to make sure he stayed true to it yesterday and it was exactly what we wanted,” Bauer said. “Fingers crossed we’ll just keep him happy next weekend, all the hard work is done. We’re excited to get him back to the races.”

Having earned 10 qualifying points with a win in the Iroquois (G3), Jonathan’s Way added 5 more with a second in the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) for a total of 15.

East Avenue’s penultimate drill ahead of his 3-year-old debut in the Risen Star was a solo move from the gates under Edgar Morales. The Godolphin homebred trained by Brendan Walsh went four furlongs in :48.80 and galloped out in 1:01.40.

“He worked very nicely,” Walsh said. “I’m very pleased with him and he should be just about as ready as we can have him off the layoff in the Risen Star, with some room to improve, too.”

Two works back, East Avenue breezed 5 furlongs in :59.40, going fastest of 44 on Friday, Jan. 17. in company with stablemates Bruhn and Initialize.

“His work two back was really good,” Walsh said. “I had him sit behind horses and he really finished up well.”

Jockey Declan Cannon was up for the move.

“He moved by them so easily,” Cannon said of the Jan. 17 workout. “He didn’t even blow. Those are two quality horses, but (East Avenue) is special. He couldn’t be doing any better.”

Walsh confirmed that jockey Tyler Gaffalione has been named to ride East Avenue in the Risen Star. Gaffalione was up for the colt’s last two races, including his win in the Breeders’ Futurity (G1), where he secured 10 Derby qualifying points.

Post positions for the Louisiana Derby Preview Day card will be drawn on Saturday, Feb 8. Six stakes are scheduled to be run including the co-featured $300,000 Fasig-Tipton Rachel Alexandra (G2), a Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1) prep which also awards 105 qualifying points. First post on Saturday, Feb. 15 is noon CT.

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About Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots

Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, one of the nation’s oldest racetracks, has been in operation since 1872. Located in New Orleans, La, Fair Grounds, which is owned by Churchill Downs Incorporated (NASDAQ Global Select Market: CHDN), also operates a slot-machine gaming facility and 15 off-track betting parlors throughout Southeast Louisiana. The 153rd Thoroughbred Racing Season–highlighted by the 112th running of the Louisiana Derby–will run from Nov. 22, 2024 through March 23, 2025. More information is available online at www.fgno.com.