By US Racing Team
Two Phil’s, we hardly knew ye.
A fan favorite after his strong runner-up finish in the Kentucky Derby (G1) on May 6, Two Phil’s has been retired with an ankle injury, discovered following his impressive victory in the Ohio Derby (G3) on June 24.
Trainer Larry Rivelli made it official on Wednesday (June 28), saying that after consulting with equine veterinarian Dr. Larry Bramlage and the owners the decision was tough but necessary.
Rivelli said Bramlage looked over the radiographs of Two Phil’s ankle and told him chances of a return to racing were “poor to fair.’’ The Daily Racing Form was first to report the retirement.
“If the horse is OK, that’s all we care about,” Rivelli said. “The horse is going to be fine, he’s going to have a good career as a stallion somewhere, and that’s all we can ask for. Tough game sometimes. It happens.”
Two Phil’s gave Rivelli, jockey Jareth Loveberry, and principal owner Vince Foglia (Patricia’s Hope) a first chance to run in the Derby. And the son of Hard Spun delivered a race some believe was as good as the winner, Mage.
Two Phil’s fought through a taxing pace in the Derby field of 18 and led by a head into the stretch. But Mage rallied on the outside and came flying past for a one-length victory.
After Rivelli and the ownership group passed on the Preakness (G1) and Belmont Stakes (G1) and returned Two Phil’s to his home base at Hawthorne Park, the colt trained up for the Ohio Derby at Thistledown and won easily.
He appeared to come out of the race in good shape, but the ankle injury developed, tests were run, and the decision was made.
Two Phil’s racing career earned owners Patricia’s Hope, Phillip Sagan (also the breeder), and Madaket Stables $1,583,450 from a record of 10-5-2-1. The Haskell (G1) in July and the Travers (G1) in August were in the future racing plans. He was purchased for $150,00 at the 2021 Keeneland September Yearling Sales
Rivelli said Two Phil’s is walking with no apparent pain at the trainer’s Hawthorne base. A stud deal has not been set, but Rivelli said Two Phil’s would be sent to Kentucky next week to stallion farms.
Obviously stung by the turn of events of perhaps the best horse he’s ever trained, Rivelli said was quoted by horseracingnation.com as saying: “He was just blossoming into a Secretariat, he really was.”
The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.
