Two Phil's Connections Keeping it Easy Until Derby Day

After Two Phil's  first time around the Churchill Downs surface May 1 under exercise rider Gonzalo Gonzales, excitement for his arrival was evident as a small crowd followed him back to his stall in Barn 1 despite the early morning wind and cooler temperatures.

The flashy chestnut colt shipped in Sunday afternoon having already completed his final work ahead of the Kentucky Derby (G1) at trainer Larry Rivelli's Hawthorne Race Course base in Chicago April 27—five furlongs in :59.00 under jockey Jareth Loveberry.

"He'll just have light gallops, easy training; all his hard workouts are done. (We'll) keep him out of harm's way, keep him happy... . He's been here and he's a very chill horse, I'm not worried about the environment. We wanted to keep him at home and keep him relaxed," Rivelli said.

Anthony Sagan, son of co-owner Phil Sagan, arrived Monday to attend the post position draw and put eyes on the horse. He smiled as he reflected on the moment.

"Everybody knocked this horse at the sales, no one wanted this horse, and he's just been incredible the whole time," Sagan said. "He's proved everybody wrong the whole way.

"It's an unbelievable story how we started with one horse in this business and now we're in the Derby, let alone a chance to win it. I think he's really got a chance."

As for what follows if the group comes out with a newly minted grade 1 winner, Rivelli says a stop at the Preakness Stakes (G1) would certainly be considered.

 "If he stays as good as he's doing and is as happy as he is than there's no reason for us to stop on him...I think we'd feel a lot of pressure that we had to (go to the Preakness). We normally wouldn't run a horse back that fast but if he does then as long as everything is 110%, (we'll go)."