Brad Grady's Girvin (Tale of Ekati) and Coffeepot Stables' Farrell (Malibu Moon) exited their respective wins in the GII Risen Star S. and GII Rachel Alexandra S. at the Fair Grounds S. Saturday in fine condition, their connections reported Sunday. Earning 50 points each for their wins, Girvin now sits atop the GI Kentucky Derby qualifying standings, while Farrell tops the GI Kentucky Oaks leaderboard with 70 points.
Girvin, conditioned by Joe Sharp, bounced out of the race in good order and returned to the track to jog Sunday morning. The dark bay, who notched his first stakes success in just his third career start Saturday, will now be pointed to the GII Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby Apr. 1, according to Sharp.
Farrell, meanwhile, added the second graded stakes victory of her career in the Rachel Alexandra. The Wayne Catalano trainee captured the GII Golden Rod S. at Churchill Downs Nov. 26, kicking off a three-race winning streak that also included the Jan. 21 Silverbulletday S. in New Orleans.
“She came out of the race great,” Catalano told the TDN on a Sunday afternoon phone call. “It looked like it was a great performance by her. We're very happy with her, and it's great news.”
Catalano said he has seen tangible improvement in each of his filly's efforts–something he hopes will continue as she takes the next step towards the May 5 Kentucky Oaks.
“She's maturing,” Catalano continued, adding that Farrell should logically make her next start in the Apr. 1 GII Fair Grounds Oaks. “She's doing everything just like we want her to.”
Trainer Steve Asmussen also reported that Untrapped (Trappe Shot) and Local Hero (Hard Spun), second and third in the Risen Star, respectively, behind Girvin, emerged from the race in “excellent” shape. Local Hero set the early pace in the clear and was caught late by his stablemate to fill out the exacta Saturday.
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