It's on to Churchill Downs for Girvin after Tuesday gallop

Louisiana Derby winner Girvin, troubled by a quarter crack in his right front hoof during the early part of last week, galloped Tuesday at Keeneland and remains on track to start in Saturday’s Kentucky Derby, trainer Joe Sharp said.

The Tuesday gallop came under Sharp’s wife, former jokey Rosie Napravnik, and followed a five-furlong workout in 59.60 seconds Saturday at Keeneland. Girvin had a walk day on Sunday, and then a day of swimming at the KESMARC rehabilitation facility near Keeneland on Monday.

“He galloped great, cooled out great,” Sharp said after Tuesday's gallop. “He is headed to Churchill this evening and we feel confident in his chances in the Derby.”

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His participation in the Derby didn’t appear as likely last Tuesday, when Girvin, tender from his quarter crack and having missed a scheduled work, was sent to Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, Ky., to been seen by noted equine podiatrist Raul Bras. But the colt began to show gradual improvement while equipped with bar shoes designed by Bras, and with a regular swimming regimen to maintain fitness and alleviate pressure on quarter crack.

He has also received regular hyperbaric-chamber treatment at KESMARC to aid in the healing process.

Unlike in some other racing jurisdictions, Kentucky has no restriction on treatment in hyperbaric chambers close to a race, Kentucky chief state steward Barbara Borden said.

Girvin, with Mike Smith to ride in the Kentucky Derby, is the leading Kentucky Derby point earner, having won the Grade 2 Risen Star and Grade 2 Louisiana Derby this winter at Fair Grounds. He will train this week in his custom bar shoes before being reshod with traditional shoes for the Derby.

He is scheduled to gallop for the first time at Churchill Downs Wednesday morning.