Hey Roman,

Watching East Avenue in the Bluegrass left me some goosebumps. When a horse gives one some goosebumps the lesson is to pay some attention.

Looked into East's off "right lead" late in the stretch. Previous races revealed East knows how to change to the proper left lead. East tired a bit in the stretch and had every right to. He only yielded late on what I believe was a hot pace. (Will Check That.) East's lead change is difficult to pick up. It appears his right fore hoof is darker and that makes it hard to pick up the lead. His gate also makes picking up the lead change harder. If I put my finger on it, I'll share. East is schooled in lead change, no worries.

East is a physical specimen. He is also well bred, though will spend some additional time looking into near pedigree distance accomplishments for the field.

Without a final field yet, it appears East could be the race quickness. Not sure what the whispers are, but I'm taking him very seriously and if he did prevail it seems pretty clear it will be a War Emblem type race.

Sovereignty is also Godolphin and a very good horse. He didn't need a point from the Florida Derby and have to think they sent him into it guarding to "not squeeze the lemon dry". (Horatio Luro) He is an off the pace horse with the risks that entails.