New Orleans, LA
A full field of twelve lined up for the $400K Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds on Saturday when Girvin stamped himself a Kentucky Derby contender.
Girvin kept to task impressively to score in the Grade II event after brushing the starting gate.
The 3-year-old colt continued his excellent work of not finishing out of the exacta in his career, while moving to the top of the Kentucky Derby point system with the win.
Trained by Joe Sharp and ridden to victory by jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. Girvin got the inside trip to grind out a win for the connections.
The Risen Star final time came back a slow 1:43 for the 1 1/16 mile distance, but grind-it-out wins are an important part on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.
Girvin returned $18.20 to win and finished a solid two lengths in front of Untrapped, with pacesetter Local Hero weakening to third.
Untrapped raced wide throughout the race, but ran on to complete the exacta. While the quick Local Hero weakened to third, after clearing the field on the backstretch.
Jockey Florent Geroux said Hero was a little too keen in today's race, but should improve after running a little immature.
Girvin showed promise that he continues to have upside and Sharp said his colt will be pointed to the $1M Louisiana Derby on April 1.