Girvin going turf to dirt for Risen Star

The 3-year-old colt Girvin got back on track with a good second-place finish Saturday in the Keith Gee Memorial and now is likely for the Risen Star here Feb. 25, trainer Joe Sharp said.

Girvin debuted Dec. 16 with a win in a fast six-furlong dirt sprint over the good colt Excitations, after which Sharp and owner Brad Grady penciled him in for a start in the Jan. 21 Lecomte. Girvin, though, was unable to start in the Lecomte after getting stuck with Sharp’s string at the Evangeline Downs Training Center while Fair Grounds came under a state quarantine because of an equine herpesvirus outbreak.

Girvin contested a 21.87-second quarter-mile in his debut but willingly rated inside and behind a half-mile pace of 49.45 seconds in the Keith Gee, a stark change in style. Girvin split horses in midstretch, finished with good energy, and galloped out in front of winner Cowboy Culture, all while not looking especially happy on grass.

“A good horse will run on anything,” Sharp said. “We were pleased with him. It was definitely what we were looking for, to sit behind horses, make a move, and finish. It didn’t surprise me that he was able to do that. What surprised me was when he was on the lead last time. I was shocked he had that much speed.”