Two Phil's dominates Shakopee Juvenile

Two Phil’s backed up an impressive maiden win with a substantial stakes victory Saturday night in the $50,000 Shakopee Juvenile at Canterbury Park.

He won by 9 3/4 lengths over Runtoday, one start after a 2 1/2-length maiden special weight victory at Colonial Downs.

The Shakopee Juvenile was one of two stakes on the 13-race closing-night card. The $50,000 Tom Metzen HBPA Sprint for 3-year-olds and up went to Tony’s Tapit ($3.80).

Two Phil’s ($4.20) sat just off Blackteca through an opening quarter in 22.16 seconds, then took over from there. The eventual winner covered a half-mile in 45.46 seconds and was in hand while winning the six-furlong race in 1:11.78.

The track was fast.

Jareth Loveberry was aboard Two Phil’s and the win was an emotional one for the rider, who was previously based at Canterbury. He said in a post-race interview conducted by the track that earlier this week his father-in-law was diagnosed with leukemia. Loveberry shipped in for the mount Saturday.

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“It’s been a tough week,” he said. “Coming here with familiar faces, it’s nice.”

Two Phil’s is a son of Hard Spun trained by Larry Rivelli. He races for his breeder, Phillip Sagan, and partner Patricias Hope. Two Phil’s has now won 2 of 3 starts and has earnings of $69,600. Two Phil’s is from the mare Mia Torri, a multiple stakes winner of more than $300,000.

*** Tony’s Tapit rallied from off the pace to catch leader Minister of Soul and win the Metzen by 2 1/4 lengths. Minister of Soul set fractions of 21.53 seconds for the opening quarter and 44.30 before being overtaken in the stretch by Tony’s Tapit, who covered six furlongs in 1:10.07. Ezequiel Lara rode the winner for trainer Jose Silva Jr. Tony’s Tapit is a son of Tonalist who races for Kirk Sutherland.

*** Earlier on the card, jockey Ry Eikleberry won three straight races in what was scheduled to be his final night of riding. Eikleberry said Saturday afternoon that he was planning to retire from the saddle on the meet’s final card.

Overall on Saturday night, Eikleberry won four races on the card. His final winner came with his final mount, Last Martini ($5).