Godolphin's East Avenue came out on the winning end of a tight photo in the $156,000 Grade 3 Salvator Mile Stakes June 13 at Monmouth Park. Doggedly pursuing defending race winner Bishops Bay through the lane, East Avenue ultimately wore him down, poking his nose down in front right on the wire.

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Known for his early speed, East Avenue was forced to utilize different tactics in Saturday's mile contest at Monmouth. Off a step slowly from his outside post position in the field of six, he rallied from last to win.

Moving up three wide on the second turn under jockey Tyler Gaffalione, East Avenue drew alongside speedster Bishops Bay, who initially kept him at bay. As Bishops Bay began to tire in the race's closing strides, East Avenue was able to nail him at the finish line. He raced a mile on a fast track in 1:35.99 and paid $7.20 to win.

"He just continued to grind," Gaffalione said. "He showed a lot of heart and would not give in. I'm very proud of him."

Bishops Bay finished a clear second, 5 3/4 lengths ahead of fading longshot show finisher Sea Streak, who had challenged Bishops Bay on the second turn.

The top two finishers receive free entry and start fees to the 1 1/8-mile Grade 3 Monmouth Cup Stakes on July 18.

The victory for the Brendan Walsh-trained East Avenue was his fourth in 11 starts. He improved his earnings to $1,131,245 for Godolphin.

"I think this year he has finally been piecing it all together," Walsh said.

Baby Vino Shines in Pegasus Stakes

In ungraded stakes action on the card, last-out maiden winner Baby Vino showcased stakes promise by dusting the opposition by 10 3/4 lengths in the $122,500 Pegasus Stakes under jockey Paco Lopez.

Baby Vino, a bay 3-year-old son of Vino Rosso trained by Lindsay Schultz for Cosmo Stables, stalked the pace before overpowering his foes with an advance late on the second turn and through the lane. He sped 1 1/16 miles in 1:44.36, leaving runner-up Schoolyardsuperman and third-place National Charter in his wake. He paid $7.80 to win.

The top two finishers receive a free entry and start fees to the $1 million Grade 1 NYRA Bets Haskell Stakes on July 18.

Program Trading Back in Win Column in Monmouth Stakes

Three-time career Grade 1 winner Program Trading notched his first victory in eight starts since the spring of 2024 with a two-length score in the $125,000 Monmouth Stakes.

A few lengths off the early pace for much of the race under jockey Flavien Prat, the Chad Brown-trained Program Trading ($2.60) went after Sand Pipes at the head of the stretch, put that one away, and comfortably fended off stablemate Nebras. The Klaravich Stables-owned winner raced 1 1/8 miles on firm turf in 1:48.71.

The top two finishers received a free entry and start fees into next month's Grade 2 United Nations Stakes on July 18.

Gimme a Nother Notches Another Graded Stakes Win in the Eatontown

A nine-month layoff proved to be no problem for Newstead Stables' Gimme a Nother in the $150,000 Grade 3 Eatontown Stakes June 13 at Monmouth Park. Firing fresh for trainer Graham Motion, the 6-year-old scored decisively, quickening away from the opposition in the 1 1/16-mile turf race to power home by 3 1/2 lengths ahead of beaten favorite Whiskey Decision. Grayosh ran third.

Gimme a Nother. (Bill Denver/EQUI-PHOTO)

The winner, bred in South Africa, was clocked in 1:42.90 on firm turf and returned $4.40 to win for a $2 wager.

"She's a very professional filly," jockey Jorge Ruiz said. "She made it easy work for me."

Gimme a Nother picked up her second graded stakes victory in six starts since she began racing in the United States in March 2025. She was previously undefeated in seven races in South Africa, where she was a multiple Group 1 winner.

"She had a bit of a slow start to her career in the United States, but lately she has not done anything wrong," said Ian Wilson, Motion's assistant trainer.

The top two finishers in the Eatontown Stakes received free fees-paid entries into the Grade 3 Winstar Matchmaker Stakes July 18 at Monmouth Park. -- Jessica Licausi