Ohio Derby Winner Two Phil’s Sidelined by Injury
Kentucky Derby Runner-Up Likely Done for 2023 .... if not More
Two Phil’s, the runner-up in the Kentucky Derby and brilliant winner of Saturday’s Ohio Derby, has suffered an ankle injury and is unlikely to race again this year, if again.
Marcus Hersh reported the news Sunday in another blow to the sport of horse racing, which has gone through an incredibly troubled stretch.
Really unfortunate news: Two Phil’s has an ankle injury and on his way to Rood & Riddle. Full story posted shortly at @DailyRacingForm https://t.co/5XwH9gXWx4
— Marcus Hersh (@DRFHersh) June 25, 2023
His jockey, Jareth Loveberry, who missed the Ohio Derby due to injury, took to Twitter and was shaken.
The devastation of the week continues. I can’t right now 😫 😪 https://t.co/22YkNSbrHv
— Jareth Loveberry (@jareth16) June 25, 2023
Larry Rivelli, who trains Two Phil’s for Vince Foglia’s Patricia’s Hope, Phillip Sagan, and Madaket Stables said that Two Phil’s on Sunday was being transported to the Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital, where he’ll undergo further evaluation and is expected to be operated on by Dr. Larry Bramlage.
Two Phil’s won the Ohio Derby by nearly six lengths over the talented 3-year-old Bishops Bay, earning his second straight 105 Beyer Speed Figure, numbers that put him at the head of his class. Rivelli said Two Phil’s showed no sign of injury until Sunday morning, when pressure was detected in his right front ankle.
“It probably puts him out for the rest of the year,” Rivelli said. “We’re sick.
… “He doesn’t owe us anything. In my experience, they aren’t usually the same horse after something like this. We don’t know the extent of it all yet. The amount of time off he’ll need still is to be determined.”
