Multiple Grade 2 winners Girvin and Irish War Cry each breezed on Sunday ahead of expected starts in the 50th edition of the $1 million Haskell Invitational (G1) at Monmouth Park on July 30.
Girvin took to Saratoga’s fast Oklahoma dirt training track, clocking five furlongs in 1:01.22 in company for trainer Joe Sharp.
“It was a great work,” Sharp said. “He went along with a workmate and galloped out really well.
“We’ll have him gallop up at Saratoga on Friday before shipping him down to Monmouth. He’ll gallop over the track there on Saturday and will school in the paddock that day.”
Girvin captured the Louisiana Derby (G2) and Risen Star Stakes (G2) earlier this year at Fair Grounds before running 13th in the Kentucky Derby (G1). The Tale of Ekati colt enters the Haskell off a close nose second in the Ohio Derby (G3) last out on June 24 at Thistledown.
Irish War Cry prepared for the Haskell at Fair Hill Training Center, working alongside Ascend for the second week in a row. The duo breezed three-quarters in 1:12.30 on the fast dirt at Fair Hill for trainer Graham Motion.
Irish War Cry, hero of the Wood Memorial Stakes (G2) in April, faded to 10th in the Kentucky Derby but rebounded to lead nearly every step of the way in the Belmont Stakes (G1). The chestnut son of Curlin was just caught in the “Test of the Champion” and forced to settle for second.
The Haskell Invitational, which will air live on NBC from 5-6 p.m. (ET), is a Breeders’ Cup “Win & You’re In” event for the $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) at Del Mar on November 4.
