Two Phil’s, in the conversation for top American three-year-old of 2023, given victories in the G3 Jeff Ruby Stakes and G3 Ohio Derby and a widely lauded runnerup finish to Mage in the Kentucky Derby, has been retired after suffering an ankle injury in Saturday’s race, confirmed Daily Racing Form.
The son of Hard Spun, from the General Quarters mare, Mia Torre, was also stakes placed in two graded stakes for three-year-olds, the G3 Lecomte and the G2 Risen Star which served as springboards to the Jeff Ruby, an effort that made him a serious contender for the Derby.
HRI will miss this boy, one that possibly would have made the Haskell and Travers of midsummer Grade1 events to remember. Agonizing game, this.
