Two Phil’s overhauled longtime leader Funtastic Again at the top of the stretch and drew off to post an impressive five-and-a-quarter length victory in the G3 Jeff Ruby Steaks at Turfway Park on Saturday, 25 March. His 101 Beyer is tops for a three-year-old colt this year.
The victory earned the three-year-old Hard Spun colt 100 points toward a start in the G1 Kentucky Derby on 6 May.
Confidently handled by jockey Jareth Loveberry, Two Phil’s was settled in mid-pack early as he raced in the clear outside of his rivals as Funtastic Again set the pace up front. Two Phil’s began to close on the far turn, then took command at the top of the stretch and drew off for an authoritative win. Stablemate Major Dude got up for second as Funtastic Again had to settle for third.
Bred in Kentucky by Phillip Sagan and raced in partnership by Sagan with Patricia’s Hope LLC, Two Phil’s is out of Mia Torri, a Multiple Stakes-winning and Graded Stakes-placed daughter of General Quarters. Two Phil’s is now a three-time Stakes winner, having captured the G3 Street Sense Stakes at Churchill Downs and the Shakopee Juvenile at Canterbury Park as a juvenile.
Two Phil’s was one of 12 Stakes winners in 2022 for his sire, Hard Spun. In addition to Two Phil’s, Hard Spun was the sire of 2022 G3 winner Sparkle Blue, Hard to Figure, Sister Seagull, Hard Empire (G2 in Aust.), Aloha West, Loyalty, and Spun Glass.
Hard Spun is standing the 2023 breeding season at Jonabell Farm for $35,000, stands and nurses.
