Spinaway Could be Next for Fifth Avenue

After closing to take second in the Adirondack Stakes (gr. II) at Saratoga on opening day, Fifth Avenue is now pointed toward the Aug. 26 Spinaway Stakes (gr. II).

In the Adirondack, Fifth Avenue finished just three-quarters of a length behind winner Folklore after spotting the field ground most of the way.

"I thought she ran a winning race," said trainer Mark Hennig in the Saratoga barn notes. "She was finishing strong and was in front a couple of jumps after the wire. She had to go through a learning process in the race and probably only got focused and ran from the quarter pole home."

Coming around the turn, Fifth Avenue, under jockey Pablo Fragoso was last and had to make a move to get through the field.

Fifth Avenue, who is by Monarchos out of a Dehere mare, was 2-for-2 coming into the Adirondack with a maiden victory and a win in the Fashion Stakes at Belmont her last time out.

"We would probably not hesitate to run her in the Spinaway," said Hennig, who noted she came out of the race in excellent condition. "She seemed fresh afterwards."