Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) contender Girvin recorded his first breeze since winning the Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby (G2) with a half-mile move in :47 4/5 April 15 at Trackside Louisville, Churchill Downs' satellite training center located five miles from the home of the Derby.
Girvin, with regular exercise rider and former jockey Rosie Napravnik aboard, breezed in company with stablemate Cool Arrow. The official clocker caught the 3-year-old son of Tale of Ekati in splits of :11 3/5, :23, and :35 1/5 before he galloped out to five furlongs in 1:02 4/5 over a fast surface.
"It was a little quicker than I would have liked for his first work back," said trainer Joe Sharp. "Both he and Cool Arrow were on the bridle, which is good. Rosie was happy with it and he seems to be cooling out well, which will set him up for his work next week."
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Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith, who has signed on to ride the colt on the first Saturday in May, will fly to Louisville for next week's workout. Sharp was unsure if Girvin will breeze at Trackside Louisville or van to Churchill Downs.
Girvin has a record of 3-1-0 from four starts, with all three wins coming at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots. Prior to his 1 1/4-length triumph in the Louisiana Derby, the colt was the two-length winner of the Feb. 25 Risen Star Stakes (G2).
WINCZE HUGHES: Girvin Upsets Risen Star Stakes
Girvin will be owner Brad Grady and Sharp's first Kentucky Derby entrant.
Also at Trackside Louisville Saturday, Jack Cincinnati Casino Spiral Stakes (G3) winner Fast and Accurate recorded a five-furlong breeze in :59 3/5 in preparation for his Derby start.
The 3-year-old Hansen colt trained by Mike Maker worked in company with stablemate On John and was credited with fractional splits of :12, :24, :35 4/5, and :47 3/5. Fast and Accurate galloped out to six furlongs in 1:13 4/5.
Fast and Accurate is not nominated to the Triple Crown but owners Kendall Hansen and Skychai Racing have said they will pay the $200,000 supplemental nomination to become eligible for the Kentucky Derby.
With a record of 3-1-0 from six starts, Fast and Accurate has recorded all three of his victories on a turf or a synthetic surface.
ANGST: Fast and Accurate Scores Spiral Upset
Fast and Accurate is stabled in Maker's Barn K at Trackside Louisville and is expected to breeze there next Saturday.
Also on the tab at Churchill Downs was Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1) leader Farrell, who tops the Oaks leaderboard. The 3-year-old daughter of Malibu Moon went to the “fast” track at 6 a.m. and clipped through fractions of :13, :25, :36, :48 2/5, and 1:00 1/5 before galloping out three quarters of a mile in 1:14 2/5.
“She worked great,” said Fernando Canteria, assistant to trainer Wayne Catalano. “It was a very solid work.”
Farrell has a career record of 7-5-0-1 and has banked earnings of $601,357.