What we learned: Two Phil's proves himself in Ohio Derby

Two Phil’s lived up to the high public expectations in the Ohio Derby at Thistledown with a resounding victory over Bishops Bay to pick up his third graded-stakes win. With this latest triumph plus his Kentucky Derby runner-up finish to Mage, Two Phil’s cemented himself as one of the best dirt 3-year-olds and enters the mid-part of the summer with great momentum.

For what it is worth, Bishops Bay did not receive a great a trip heading into the first turn and running around it. Out of the gate, Bishops Bay initially took a slight lead, but Henry Q began to respond under aggressive handling from the rail under jockey Kendrick Carmouche.

As the field started the first turn, Henry Q took over the lead while floating out Bishops Bay, who went at least five wide thanks to Henry Q’s tactics. While Henry Q gave Bishops Bay a hard time, Two Phil’s was able to angle just to the left of Bishops Bay and then settle behind him.

When the horses straightened out on the backside, Henry Q led Bishops Bay by one length through a fast opening quarter in 22.62 seconds before running the half-mile in 47.62 seconds. Bishops Bay settled into his tracking position in second, but the damage from the first turn had been done. 

As Bishops Bay made his move on the far turn to pass a tired Henry Q, Two Phil’s went by both horses powerfully on the outside and took command of the lead. Bishops Bay tried to respond to Two Phil's while opening on the other horses, but Two Phil’s came on too strong with his move and began to open up on Bishops Bay in the stretch run. 

Even though Bishops Bay experienced a poor first turn, Two Phil’s turned in the kind of performance that left no doubt about who was the better horse.

Two Phil’s eventually finished 5 3/4 lengths ahead of Bishops Bay in second and completed the nine furlongs over fast dirt in 1:49.60. His previous two Grade 3 wins were earned over the slop and synthetic, which means his each of his Grade 3 wins came over different surfaces.

The most impressive part about the performance from Two Phil’s was the strong finish. In some of his earlier races on the Derby trail, such as the Lecomte Stakes (G3) and Risen Star Stakes (G2), Two Phil’s lost a length or two to the winner late in the race. But as seen here, he can finish off the race well against a talented horse such as Bishops Bay.

Even though Bishops Bay went through a bad first turn and had to endure the fast opening quarter, his overall effort still feels disappointing, especially since the public overbet him down to 7-5 from 3-1. When Two Phil’s came to challenge for the lead on the far turn, Bishops Bay had only a minimal response and just looked beaten.

In fairness, Bishops Bay made only the fourth start of his career. With the experience gained in this faster-paced race, he might toughen up. 

The rest of the horses were overmatched. Hayes Strike deserves a mention after passing Lord Miles and Henry Q for third. Hayes Strike lost by 12 3/4 lengths, but he gives the impression of an improved horse after his Texas Derby win and now this good effort to earn third. 

Expect Two Phil’s to turn in more great performances in the big 3-year-old dirt races coming up this summer. Against the best in the division, Two Phil’s always seems to hit the board even when he does not win.  

Even if Two Phil’s meets other major 3-year-olds such as Forte, Mage and Arcangelo this summer, Two Phil’s will make it hard on them. He owns great tactical speed and ability. Plus, distance looks like no problem, which makes the Travers Stakes (G1) an inviting spot to target.

Two Phil’s also will offer higher odds against those horses, although he arguably justified his low odds Saturday with his dominating performance. Look for Two Phil’s to make a splash in the second half of 2023.