Patricia's Hope LLC, Phillip Sagan and Madaket Stables' Two Phil's (Hard Spun–Mia Torri, by General Quarters), a two-time graded winner and runner-up in the GI Kentucky Derby, has been officially retired from racing after suffering an ankle injury during the June 24 GIII Ohio Derby. Daily Racing Form was first to confirm the news.
Bred by Sagan from his dual-stakes winning mare Mia Torri, Two Phil's graduated at second asking at Colonial Downs last July before romping by nearly 10 lengths in the Shakopee Juvenile at Canterbury Sept. 17. A wide-trip seventh behind Forte (Violence) in the GI Claiborne Breeders' Futurity Oct. 8, the chestnut belied odds of 7-1 to take out the GIII Street Sense S. at Churchill Downs 22 days later before hitting the shelf.
Runner-up in the GIII Lecomte S. and third in the GII Risen Star S. to begin his sophomore season, Two Phil's was set a softer task in the GIII Jeff Ruby Steaks Mar. 25 and he punched his ticket to the Derby with a convincing 5 1/4-length success. One of just four in the Run for the Roses to jump at single digits, Two Phil's was ridden close to a pace that would ultimately prove the undoing of any horse that raced prominently, but was sent up inside to lead on the turn and boxed on determinedly to finish a length behind Mage (Good Magic) in second with Madaket having bought into the colt. Having decided against a trip to the GI Preakness S., connections opted for the June 24 GIII Ohio Derby and he won by an authoritative 5 3/4 lengths beneath Gerardo Corrales, subbing for the injured Jareth Loveberry.
It was first reported that Two Phil's was sent to Rood and Riddle for evaluation of the injury, but DRF clarified that the colt had remained in Rivelli's barn and that images of the ankle were transmitted to Dr. Larry Bramlage at the equine hospital. DRF reports that a fractured sesamoid had been diagnosed and that the prognosis for a full recovery was 'poor to fair,' trainer Larry Rivelli told the Form.
“It's devastating. This is the fastest horse I've ever trained, and he was just blossoming,” the Hawthorne-based Rivelli told DRF.
A stud deal has not yet been finalized, DRF reported, but added that Two Phil's would be sent to Kentucky “sometime in the next week” to be shown as a stallion prospect.
Two Phil's retires with a lifetime record of 5-2-1 from 10 starts for earnings of $1,583,450.
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