Two Phil’s brilliant in Jeff Ruby Steaks; Botanical extends streak in Bourbonette Oaks

Owned in partnership by Patricia’s Hope and Phil Sagan, Two Phil’s earned 100 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby Championship Series for his victory in the Jeff Ruby Steaks, adding to his growing total of now 123 points. Runner-up Major Dude tallied 40 points followed by third-place finisher Funtastic Again (30 points), fourth-place Wadsworth (20 points) and fifth-place Maker’s Candy (10 points).

Two Phil’s was ridden by Jareth Loveberry and trained by Larray Rivelli. The son of former Jeff Ruby Steaks winner Hard Spun completed 1 1/8 miles in 1:49.03.

Loveberry positioned Two Phil’s in seventh in the early stages of the Jeff Ruby Steaks, 2 3/4 lengths off pacesetter Funtastic Again’s quarter-mile time of :23.49. Up the backside, Funtastic Again and jockey Gerardo Corrales continued to dictate the pace through a half-mile in :47.84. At the half-mile pole, Two Phil’s moved up to fourth, two lengths off the pace. Around the far turn, favored Major Dude began to make his challenge in the two-path while Loveberry spun Two Phil’s three-wide. At the top of the stretch Two Phil’s poked his head in front and never looked back drawing clear in the late stages of the Jeff Ruby Steaks.

“The original plan probably wasn’t to run in this spot,” Rivelli said. “I was just looking for the best route to get Two Phil’s to the Kentucky Derby. With this race on the calendar I thought it was the perfect timing and perfect spot. We’re on our way to the Derby.”

Two Phil’s rewarded his backers with mutuel payouts of $7.64, $3.90 and $2.92. Major Dude with jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. in the saddle returned $3.28 and $2.56. Funtastic Again paid $3.96.

Rivelli reported Two Phil’s will now head back to Hawthorne Park and ship to Louisville about three weeks out of the Kentucky Derby. The talented three-year-old boasts a lifetime record of 8-4-1-1 with purse earnings of $683,450.

Wadsworth crossed the wire fourth followed by Maker’s Candy, Congruent, Baby Billy, Escapologist, Bluebirds Over, and Point Proven.

Two Phil’s is by Hard Spun out of the General Quarters mare Mia Torri. He was bred in Kentucky by co-owner Phil Sagan.

LNJ Foxwoods and Clearsky Farm’s Botanical kept her undefeated streak at Turfway Park intact with a 2 1/2-length victory in Saturday’s $300,000 Bourbonette Oaks.

Botanical’s victory in the Bourbonette Oaks also gave her rider Chris Landeros his third stakes victory on the Jeff Ruby Steaks program. Landeros previously won the $250,000 Rushaway S. and $250,000 Latonia S.

Trained by Brad Cox, Botanical completed the 1 1/16-mile Bourbonette Oaks in 1:44.47.

Botanical earned 50 points for her victory in the Bourbonette Oaks – a Road to the Kentucky Oaks Championship Series event. Her stablemate Flashy Gem earned 20 points, while non-Kentucky Oaks nominees Thirty Thou Kelvin received 15 points and Miss New York tabbed 10 points. Fifth-place finisher Ag Bullet added five points.

Botanical broke well at the start of the Bourbonette Oaks and was immediately taken to the lead under Landeros. Botanical easily completed a quarter-mile in :24.58, and Landeros kept Botanical well rated up the backside through a half-mile of :48.51. At the three-sixteenths pole, Botanical was joined briefly to her outside by her stablemate Flashy Gem but easily kicked clear in deep stretch.

“I can’t really tell you exactly what made her who she is today but she seems to be getting better with every race,” assistant trainer Tessa Walden said. “I think anytime you get in a race like the Kentucky Oaks you will go there. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity.”

 Thirty Thou Kelvin completed the trifecta followed by Miss New York, Ag Bullet, Always At Ease, Shewillghostu, Renegade Rebel, Bolivie, and Medaglia Forever.

Botanical was the even-money post time favorite and paid $4.06, $2.62 and $2.38. Flashy Gem, under John Velazquez, returned $3.62 and $3.12. Thirty Thou Kelvin, ridden by Gerardo Corrales, paid $8.44.

Botanical is a three-year-old daughter of Medaglia d’Oro out of the Blame mare Daisy. She was bred in the Bluegrass State by Clearsky Farms and Godolphin.