Girvin, Fast and Accurate get in Kentucky Derby 2017 Drills

Kentucky Derby 2017 contender Girvin recorded his first breeze since winning the TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby (Grade II) with a half-mile move in :47.80 on Saturday morning 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 :11.60, :23 and :35.20 before galloping out five furlongs in 1:02.80 over a fast surface.

“It was a little quicker than I would have liked for his first work back,” said 32-year-old 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.”

Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith, who has signed on to ride the colt on the first Saturday in May, will fly to Louisville, Ky. for next week’s workout. Sharp was unsure if Girvin would breeze at Trackside Louisville or van to Churchill Downs.

Girvin has a career record of 4-3-1-0 with all three wins coming at Fair Grounds. Prior to his 1 ¼-length triumph in the Louisiana Derby, the colt was the two-length conqueror of the Feb. 25 Risen Star (GII).

Girvin will be owner Brad Grady and Sharp’s first Kentucky Derby entrant.

Spiral Stakes (Grade III) upset-winner Fast and Accurate recorded a five-furlong breeze in :59.60 on Saturday morning at the Trackside Louisville training center in preparation for a start in the $2 million Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (GI) on Saturday, May 6.

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, :35.80 and :47.60. Fast and Accurate galloped out six furlongs in 1:13.80.

Fast and Accurate is not nominated to the Triple Crown but owners Kendal Hansen and Skychai Racing have said they will pay the $200,000 supplemental nomination to become eligible for the Kentucky Derby.

With a career record of 6-3-1-0, Fast and Accurate has recorded all three of his victories on a turf or a synthetic surface.

Fast and Accurate is stabled in Maker’s Barn K at Trackside Louisville and is expected to breeze there next Saturday.

Peacock Racing Stables’ Gunnevera breezed five furlongs in 1:00.60 Saturday morning at Gulfstream Park West in South Florida. The 3-year-old son of Dialed In is scheduled to ship to Churchill Downs on Saturday, April 22.

Florida Derby (GI) runner-up State of Honor trained by Mark Casse is expected to breeze Sunday at Churchill Downs when the racetrack opens at 6 a.m.

Source: Churchill Downs