By Christie DeBernardis
Brad Grady's Girvin (Tale of Ekati) is one of four runners in Saturday's GIII Ohio Derby looking to get back on track after a lackluster effort in the GI Kentucky Derby May 6. Surging late to best the reopposing Untrapped (Trappe Shot) by two lengths in the GII Risen Star S. Fen. 25, the dark bay followed suit with a victory in the GII Louisiana Derby Apr. 1, but never came with a run beneath the Twin Spires, finishing 13th in the Derby. Hall of Famer Mike Smith, who climbed aboard for the first time at Churchill, makes the trip to Thistledown from California to take the reins.
“TDN Rising Star” Untrapped went to Hot Springs after the Risen Star, where he finished third in the GII Rebel S. Mar. 18 and checked in sixth next out behind champion Classic Empire (Pioneerof the Nile) in the GI Arkansas Derby Apr. 15. The Steve Asmussen pupil finished just ahead of Girvin in 12th on the First Saturday in May.
Fourth in the GIII Sunland Derby Mar. 16, which has proven to be one of the key Derby preps this year, Irap (Tiznow) blew up the tote with a 3/4-length victory at 31-1 in Keeneland's GII Toyota Blue Grass S. Apr. 8. The bay faded to 18th last time in the Run for the Roses.
Also exiting the Kentucky Derby is Fast and Accurate (Hansen), who captured the GIII Spiral S. at odds of 24-1 prior to a 17th-place finish at Churchill. Unlike the others, the gray has made another start since the Derby, finishing fourth on turf in the GIII Arlington Classic May 27.
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