$37,646,330 Worth Trainer Shares Additional Details of Kentucky Derby Runner-Up Horse’s Injury: “Not That Big of a Deal”

It’s been nearly two months since the Kentucky Derby took place in Churchill Downs. Equestrian fans clearly remember how Mage pulled off an upset to win the championship. But, someone who was also impressive was runners-up Two Phil. Two Phil came 2nd with his trainer Larry Rivelli and won a whopping $600,000. With a few more wins under his belt, Two Phil and Rivelli have earned a total of $37,646,330 this year. However, all of that was followed by an upsetting update about the thoroughbred.

Two Phil suffered an injury in his ankle recently during the Ohio Derby 2023. He won the competition but was soon rushed to the Riddle Equine Hospital. Now, with a day or two later, Larry Rivelli speaks about the condition of his horse post-treatment.

Equestrian Larry Rivelli has to make a hard choice about Two Phil

“It’s not a life-threatening injury or anything,” said Rivelli to Horse Racing Nation. It was a sigh of relief that Two Phil was going to live after all, since multiple deaths of horses just days after the Kentucky Derby had rocked the prestigious event previously. So many of them had been put down, others succumbed to their injuries, and some had to be euthanized just days after their injury.

A total of 7 horses had died just hours before Kentucky Derby even commenced. So it was refreshing to learn about Two Phil’s healthy condition. Rivelli continued, “It’s not that big of a deal. But it just sucks. Set him back. We’re just trying to decide whether we should just go ahead and make him a stallion or not or bring him back and run him”.

READ MORE – “Least He’s Alive”: Saddening Injury Update of Kentucky Derby Runner-Up Horse Saddens Equestrian World

The decision is a tough one. Since on the one hand, he is a champion horse worth multi-million dollars. On the other hand, Two Phil is just recovering from his injuries, and if pushed further, things could be catastrophic for the gelding.

Two Phil’s phenomenal run so far is what makes his current condition even sadder

Rivelli continued, “Whatever way you go, you’ll probably make the wrong call. He’ll come back, and he’ll be able to race. But if he’s not going to be the same, if he’s going to be as he is now, why prolong the inevitable?” Although Rivelli might be right, it could also be seen as incredibly harsh, especially in the wake of all the horses’ deaths. “He’s an unbelievable horse. It’s bittersweet”, continued Rivelli.

Two Phil has not only ended up runners-up in the Kentucky Derby but also won the Ohio Derby, Jeff Ruby Steaks, and Street Sense, all of it this year. He is bred by Sagan and owned by Patricia’s Hope LLC and could’ve gone on to win many more competitions in the future. However, nothing can be confirmed in that regard as of now.

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