Two Phil’s scores in the Jeff Ruby Steaks at Turfway. (JennyPhoto/Past The Wire)
By Maribeth Kalinich
Trainer Larry Rivelli told The Daily Herald’s Jim O’Donnell on Monday that his Kentucky Derby runnerup Two Phil’s will pass on a start in the 148th Preakness Stakes in Baltimore on May 20.
“Too soon,” Rivelli – a resident of North Barrington, Chicago – told The Daily Herald. “‘Phil’ came out of the Derby great. We shipped back to Chicago Sunday but the Preakness is just twelve days away. That’s just too soon.”
In a Derby where positions were changing as quickly as the fractions of 22.25 and 45.73, Two Phil’s started quite well in mid-pack to take the lead at one mile appearing to be the presumptive victor until late-closing Mage surged past him in the final 170 yards. Two Phil’s was beaten by one length.
Needless to say, Two Phil’s put his all into the Kentucky Derby and trainer Rivelli is not one to run horses back in a hurry.
“To be honest with you, even if he would have won (the Derby), it would have been a lot of pressure to run and I would have been probably strongly against it,” Rivelli told Horse Racing Nation’s Carolyn Greer.
Rivelli told DRF’s David Grening of options being considered for Two Phil’s. The Belmont Stakes on June 10 “is a possibility for sure” as is the Grade 3, $400,000 Matt Winn at Churchill Downs on June 11. If Two Phil’s needs more time, Rivelli said there are plenty of other options, including races like the Jim Dandy and Travers this summer at Saratoga.
There has been no official statement from Two Phil’s owners Patricia’s Hope LLC, Phillip Sagan, and Madaket Stables LLC
Kentucky Derby winner Mage is already pointing toward a start in the Preakness. Connections of Derby starters Disarm (Steve Asmussen), who finished fourth, and Confidence Game (Keith Desormeaux), who came in tenth, have yet to announce a decision.
Expected to announce Preakness intentions soon are Blazing Sevens (Chad Brown), Chase the Chaos (Ed Moger, Jr.), First Mission (Brad Cox), National Treasure (Bob Baffert), Perform (Shug McGaughey), and Red Route One (Steve Asmussen).
Entries for the $1.5 million Grade 1 Preakness Stakes close today, Tuesday, May 9. The draw for post positions will be Wednesday, May 17.
