Multiple Grade 2 winner Girvin has been confirmed to run in the 50th edition of the $1 million Haskell Invitational Stakes (G1) on July 30 at Monmouth Park.
“He arrived at Saratoga this morning (on July 13),” trainer Joe Sharp said. “We’ll get a work or two into him up here prior to the Haskell and ship down a couple of days before the race.”
Girvin has been readying for the 1 1/8-mile Haskell at Churchill Training, breezing a bullet half-mile in :47.20 on July 9 in his most recent move.
“I’d like for him to get a look and feel for the track, maybe school in the paddock before the race just to get to know his surroundings,” Sharp said.
Girvin will enter the Haskell off a tough nose loss in the Ohio Derby (G3) on June 24 at Thistledown. That nine-furlong affair followed a subpar 13th-place run in the Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downs on May 6. The Tale of Ekati colt earned his shot at Derby glory with easy scores in the Louisiana Derby (G2) and Risen Star Stakes (G2) at Fair Grounds earlier this year.
Thus far, those considered likely to start in the Haskell include American Anthem, Battle of Midway, Classic Empire, Girvin, Hence, Impressive Edge, Irish War Cry, McCraken, Practical Joke and Timeline.
NBC will telecast the Haskell, a “Win & You’re In” for the November 4 Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) at Del Mar, from 5-6 p.m. (ET).
