Even through the raspiness that overtook his voice as he tried to articulate the stunner of a contender he had just unleashed on the Triple Crown trail, trainer Joe Sharp’s wonderment over his upstart charge Girvin was as clear as the margin of victory the son of Tale of Ekati had just registered in Saturday’s Grade 2 Risen Star Stakes.

This feature provides a capsule look at three horses who are heating up on the Triple Crown trail and three horses whose chances for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands are not quite as strong as they were last week.