With trainer Joe Sharp riding alongside on a lead pony, Brad Grady’s Girvin, winner of the Risen Star (G2) and Louisiana Derby (G2) and the top point earner on the Road to the Kentucky Derby (G1), jogged twice around the main track Monday morning before the renovation break.
Around 7:30 a.m., Girvin made his second appearance on the Keeneland surface with Rosie Napravnik aboard in a repeat of his Sunday exercise.
Sharp said around 9 a.m. that he plans to give Girvin his final tune-up for the Derby on Friday at Keeneland.
“We just decided we are probably going to work him Friday,” Sharp said. “Just one solid stiff work going into the Derby instead of trying to squeeze two half-mile (workouts) in him. Probably five-eighths or three-quarters (of a mile) eight days out from the Derby.”
Winner of the April 8 Toyota Blue Grass (G2), Reddam Racing’s Irap galloped three times around the 5-furlong all-weather track in his return to training after working a mile in 1:44 on Friday.
Trainer Doug O’Neill was at Keeneland for that work. He plans to be back at Keeneland this Friday when Irap is to work again with jockey Mario Gutierrez aboard.
Irap is scheduled to ship to Churchill Downs April 29 or 30.