The highly anticipated comeback of Victory Avenue, a promising colt who has not raced since last winter, will take place this Sunday at Gulfstream Park. This will mark his first start in 387 days, following a second-place finish in a maiden special weight race on the undercard of the prestigious Pegasus World Cup in early 2024. Co-owner Ramiro Restrepo expressed excitement and anticipation for the talented horse's return, highlighting the team's efforts to get these horses back into competitive form.

Anticipation Builds for Victory Avenue’s Comeback

Expectations were sky-high when Victory Avenue made his debut last year. Despite showing impressive speed initially, he ultimately finished second behind Speak Easy, another well-regarded colt. The performance showcased Victory Avenue's potential but also indicated that he needed more time to mature. Following the race, the team decided to give him an extended break, allowing him to recuperate fully. Since returning to training in December, Victory Avenue has completed eight workouts, demonstrating readiness for his return to the track. He will be ridden by Hall of Famer Javier Castellano in a six-furlong maiden special weight race for four-year-olds and up.

Victory Avenue's debut was nothing short of remarkable. Breaking inward and leading for half a mile, he showed flashes of brilliance before finishing second. His subsequent performances in practice have been consistent, with no signs of overexertion. Restrepo emphasized that the team has taken a patient approach, ensuring that Victory Avenue is fit and ready for competition. “We’ve been easy on him just to get him back,” Restrepo said. “He’s had eight workouts so far, and he’s fit enough to run and restart his career.”

Ferocious Prepares for Next Steps

In addition to Victory Avenue, co-owner Ramiro Restrepo also discussed Ferocious, another colt from their stable who recently returned from a lengthy layoff. Ferocious placed fourth in the Holy Bull (G3) earlier this month, marking his first race since the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1). While the result was not as stellar as hoped, Restrepo noted positive developments in Ferocious's behavior and performance. The use of blinkers and extended rest seemed to have improved his demeanor, addressing previous issues with nervousness in the paddock and post parade.

Restrepo highlighted the importance of Ferocious's recent performance, particularly noting improvements in his behavior. Previously, Ferocious exhibited nervousness in various pre-race settings, which affected his overall performance. However, after wearing blinkers and receiving ample rest, he behaved like "a total gentleman" during the Holy Bull. This transformation bodes well for future races. Restrepo mentioned that the team is considering either the $400,000 Fountain of Youth (G2) or the $1 million Florida Derby (G1) as next steps for Ferocious. With 12 qualifying points for the Kentucky Derby, Ferocious is currently ranked 16th, positioning him favorably for upcoming competitions.