Girvin the One to Beat in LA Derby

Patch | Leslie Martin

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Brad Grady's Girvin (Tale of Ekati) parlayed a nearly perfect trip into a two-length score in his graded stakes debut in the Feb. 25 GII Risen Star S. [video], and the dark bay looms as the morning line favorite to keep the ball rolling in the centerpiece of the Fair Grounds meet, Saturday's $1-million GII Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby. With Local Hero (Hard Spun) expected on the lead, Girvin's trainer Joe Sharp entered speedy Hotfoot (Aikenite) as a rabbit of sorts to ensure an honest pace. Nevertheless, Sharp said that Girvin has shown an ability to adapt to varying pace scenarios in his three career starts.

“He won on the lead when he needed to be in his maiden race, he stalked just off the pace in the [Feb. 4 Keith Gee Memorial S. on turf], and he came from considerably further back in the Risen Star–so he's shown three levels of versatility,” Sharp observed on an NTRA teleconference Tuesday [click here for more].

While Girvin enjoyed a ground-saving trip from his rail draw in the Risen Star, he must replicate that effort from post eight in a field of nine Saturday. The inside post belongs to 'TDN Rising Star' Patch (Union Rags), who ships in from South Florida for trainer Todd Pletcher. A convincing maiden winner going a mile at Gulfstream Feb. 18, Patch figures to secure a midpack position in his first try around two turns. Pletcher also sends out $1.3-million OBS March 2-year-old purchase Monaco (Uncle Mo), who enters off a 12-length graduation at Tampa Bay Downs for Mike Repole and the Coolmore partners Feb. 12.

Will Farish and Lora Jean Kilroy's Guest Suite (Quality Road) captured the Jan. 21 GIII LeComte S. locally but never managed to threaten when fourth, 4 1/2 lengths adrift of Girvin, in the Risen Star. The gelding figures to have no problem handling the Derby's nine-panel trip for trainer Neil Howard. Likewise, late-running Senior Investment (Discreetly Mine) should appreciate the long stretch at the Fair Grounds. The chestnut has demonstrated marked improvement since adding Lasix as a 3-year-old and crossed the wire first in each of his last three starts, including a flashy score in a 1 1/16-mile optional claimer at Oaklawn Feb. 18.

“I really want to run him a mile and an eighth,” trained Ken McPeek commented. “He's really doing well and started to figure it all out. As a baby, he had some throat issues and once we got those fixed, he's come along nicely.”

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