Ohio Derby probable next start for Girvin

Girvin, the Louisiana Derby winner who finished 13th in the Kentucky Derby, most likely will make his next start in the Grade 3, $500,000 Ohio Derby on June 24 at Thistledown, trainer Joe Sharp said Thursday.

Sharp said he is leaning toward running Girvin in the Ohio Derby at 1 1/8 miles over the Grade 3, $100,000 Matt Winn, run at 1 1/16 miles at Churchill Downs on June 17. In addition to being worth more money, the Ohio Derby gives the horse an extra week from the Kentucky Derby.

Sharp said Girvin is at the Trackside at Churchill Downs training facility and on Saturday is scheduled to have his first workout since the Kentucky Derby.

Girvin, a son of Tale of Ekati, won the Risen Star and Louisiana Derby, both Grade 2 races at Fair Grounds during the winter, to become a leading contender for the Kentucky Derby. The horse developed quarter-crack problems that prompted Sharp to take him to Lexington, Ky., in the weeks leading up to the Derby, and the horse swam at a local equine rehabilitation facility and trained at Keeneland before running in the Derby.

Sharp said he gave Girvin an extra week after the Derby before he decided to work him again.