Iwinski Still Celebrating Sean Avery

Sean Avery was headed back to Monmouth Park when trainer Allen Iwinski confirmed the 5-year-old gelding came out of his upset victory over Trappe Shot in yesterday’s Grade 1 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap in good shape.

“He ate up everything, and his legs were ice cold this morning,” said Iwinski via telephone.

Named for the left winger for the New York Rangers, Sean Avery has now won four of five starts in 2011, including a victory in the Longfellow at Monmouth Park in June. The Vanderbilt marked the first Grade 1 score for the horse and the trainer.

“Yesterday I was so excited, I couldn’t stop talking about everything that happened,” said Iwinski, who trains the son of Cherokee Run for Black Swan Stable. “Today is another day. Sean came out of the race great.”

Iwinski said he was going to enjoy the win for a few days before he starts thinking about where the gelding might make his next start.

“We’re just going to celebrate for now,” said Iwinski. “I’ll wait a few days before I talk to John DeStefano of Black Swan Stable about our options.”