Churchill Downs' Barn Notes: Two Phil's May Return in G3 Matt Winn Stakes

(Two Phil’s / Photos by Holly M. Smith)

From the Churchill Downs Media Team / Darren Rogers:

Patricia’s Hope, Phil Sagan and Madaket Stables’ Two Phil’s, the runner-up in the $3 million Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (Grade I), is possible to return to Churchill Downs in June and compete in the $400,000 Matt Winn Stakes (GIII), according to trainer Larry Rivelli.

          Two Phil’s returned to Rivelli’s base at Hawthorne shortly after the Kentucky Derby. The son of Hard Spun led the field of 18 3-year-olds into the top of the lane in the “Run for the Roses” under jockey Jareth Loveberry but finished one-length back of Mage.

          Rivelli stated Two Phil’s could run in either the June 11 Matt Winn or June 24 Ohio Derby (GIII) at Thistledown. The Matt Winn or Ohio Derby would be used as preps for the July 22 Haskell Stakes (GI) at Monmouth Park and Aug. 26 Travers (GI) at Saratoga.

          Nominations to the Matt Winn, which will be run the day after the Belmont Stakes (GI), close Saturday, June 3.

SUNDAY WORK TAB FEATURES TRIO OF COX DERBY RUNNERS – Sunday morning’s work tab at Churchill Downs featured a trio of trainer Brad Cox’s Kentucky Derby runners who recorded their first breezes since running on the first Saturday in May.

          At 5:30 a.m. (all times Eastern), Kentucky Derby third-place finisher Angel of Empire recorded an easy half-mile move in :49. The colt, owned by Albaugh Family Stables, is possible to run in the $1.5 million Belmont Stakes (GI) on June 10.

          Shortly after his move, Westerberg, Mrs. John Magnier, Jonathan Poulin, Derrick Smith and Michael B. Tabor’s Verifying, who finished a disappointing 16 in the Derby, worked a half-mile in :49.60.

          At 7:45 a.m., Gary and Mary West’s Hit Show, who finished fifth in the Derby, breezed a half-mile in :49.40.

          Hit Show and Verifying’s next starts have yet to be determined.

          Immediately before Hit Show’s move, LNJFoxwoods and Clearsky Farms’ Botanical, the 13-place finisher in the $1.25 million Longines Kentucky Oaks (GI), worked an easy half-mile in :50.

          Six horses recorded turf workouts Sunday at Churchill Downs: Classic Causeway (four furlongs, :49.60); Girl Named Charlie (four furlongs, :48.60); Miss Riddler (five furlongs, 1:03); New Year’s Eve (five furlongs, 1:03); Promise Keeper (five furlongs, 1:02) and SetPiece (GB) (four furlongs, :49.40).

STAKES PROBABLES – Following dark days Monday-Wednesday, Churchill Downs will feature a five-day race week with a special Memorial Day program Monday, May 29. Saturday’s 11-race card will feature the $225,000 Keertana Overnight Stakes while Monday’s program will feature the $225,000 Winning Colors (GIII). Here are the likely entrants for both races, according to Churchill Downs Assistant Racing Secretary and Stakes Coordinator Dan Bork:

          The 10 running of the $225,000 Keertana Overnight stakes at 1 ½ miles on turf for fillies and mares 4-years-old and up: I’m So Sorry (trainer Brian Lynch); Implosion (Steve Margolis); Lovely Princess (Kenny McPeek); Miss Yearwood (Ian Wilkes); QualityStar (Paulo Lobo); Sinfiltre (Todd Pletcher); Talbeyah (IRE) (Mark Casse); and Viburnum (Kelsey Danner).

          The 20 running of the $225,000 Winning Colors (GIII) at six furlongs for fillies and mares 4-years-old and up: Coppelia (trainer Phil Bauer); Last Leaf (Eddie Kenneally); Marissa’s Lady (Bill Morey); Sharp Hero (Bradley Ross); and Spirit Wind (Ralph Nicks).

          Entries for the Keertana will close Wednesday while the Winning Colors will close Thursday.

‘CHURCHILL DOWNS TODAY’ AIRS ONE-HOUR PRIOR TO RACING – Horseplayers can get the latest expert advice and a preview of the day’s card by watching “Churchill Downs Today” one hour prior to first post.

          Join Joe Kristufek, Scott Shapiro and Kaitlin Free as the trio will handicap the program, give crucial ticket-structure advice and inside information for horseplayers betting the racing program.

          Churchill Downs Today will be shown on www.TwinSpires.com, the Churchill Downs LIVE app on Smart TVs and Twitter via @ChurchillDowns.

AMERICA’S DAY AT THE RACES TV SCHEDULE – Fans can watch racing from Churchill Downs on “America’s Day at the Races” on the Fox Sports family of networks. Here is the upcoming TV schedule:

• Sunday: 12:30-4:50 p.m., FS2
• Thursday 3-8:30 p.m., FS2
• Friday: 12:30-5:30 p.m., FS2
• Saturday: 12:30-6 p.m., FS2
• Sunday: 12:30-4:30 p.m., FS1 | 4:30-5:30 p.m., FS2
• Monday: 12:30-6 p.m., FS2

DOWN THE STRETCH – Sunday’s nine-race program had a first post of 12:45 p.m. There was a one-day carryover in the 20-cent Derby City 6 Jackpot of $2,538. … Following dark days Monday-Wednesday, racing will resume for a five-day week Thursday-Monday. First post Thursday is 5 p.m. for the eight-race Twilight Thursday program. Fans can enjoy $2 domestic beer, live music and local food trucks in The Grove, located in the corridor between the VIP and Clubhouse Gates. First posts Friday-Monday are 12:45 p.m. … For more information about the 44-day Churchill Downs Spring Meet, visit www.ChurchillDowns.com.