Thistledown Ohio Derby: Derby Runner Up Returns, Jockey Questionable

After coming up short to winner, Mage, on the first Saturday in May Two Phil’s is set to return in the Ohio Derby at Thistledown. However, he may be without his regular jockey.

Loveberry Injured

Jareth Loveberry was riding in his first ever Kentucky Derby in 2023. Many felt that it was too difficult for a jockey from a mid-tier track to handle the pressures of riding in such a complex race. Those people must have forgotten the ride that Sonny Leon had delivered just one year prior.

Furthering doubt about his chances was the fact that Two Phil’s has only really shown a step forward when traveling over a synthetic surface as opposed to the Derby’s dirt track.

The Derby

Despite the skeptics, Loveberry has been widely praised for his handling of Two Phil’s in the race. Although making an early move into the stretch run, “J Love” saw an opening and wisely allowed his horse to move up into it knowing that with 20 horses things can change in an instant.

The decision led to his horse looking much the best down much of the lane. It was only in the final furlong that Mage was able get passed and claim the Derby crown. Two Phil’s and Loveberry held sway for second.

Loverberry Off Mounts

Loveberry was riding Wednesday night back at Canterbury Park. Just ahead of the Canterbury Derby, it was announced that he would be taken off his mount in the race. Sources say that Loveberry aggravated an injury while riding at Ellis Park during his ride of Artemis City Limits in the 7th at Canterbury.

Hopefully the decision to take off the 8th race was in an effort to preserve himself for the big Ohio Derby, but if he cannot go the connections will be scrambling to find a jockey to hop aboard. A difficult task as Loveberry has really seemed to fit this horse well.

Ohio Derby Full Card Selections

Thistledown Race Course- Race 1

Post: 12:00 PM ET; $12.6k Claiming going 1 mile on dirt; Entries: 9

• #7 GILES (4-1) gets the top selection. He has races good enough to beat this group. This one has tactical speed and can sit just off the leaders for a stalk and pounce trip.
• #9 YOUVESAIDITALL (7-2) appears to be a major player in this race. He projects to sit mid pack and come with one run. This one shouldn’t have trouble with the 1 mile distance.
• #6 SHELL FIRE (5-1) should be competitive in this spot. He seems to fit well enough here. This one comes into the race in really good form.
• #8 SAY HEY KID (9-2) could be in with a shot in this race. He projects to sit in the 2nd flight and will try make a single sustained run at the top flight.

Selections: 7 – 9 – 6 – 8

Thistledown Race Course- Race 2

Post: 12:28 PM ET; $35.8k Allowance going 1 mile on dirt; Entries: 6

• #2 CUE THE BAND (2-1) is the top pick. She has to be respected going out for the combination of Shanyfelt and Gonzalez. This one looks to be the class of the field.
• #5 EXACTITUDE (4-1) goes out for the team of Calderon and Diaz. This one has proven to be able to handle these conditions in previous starts.
• #1 BROWNIE (5-2) goes out for a jockey and trainer that are frequently dominate on the Ohio circuit. This one has been really solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big one here.
• #3 HERE COMES DOLLY (6-1) is probably best to put underneath on most tickets. She is a good bet to hit the board in this type of race. This one shouldn’t have trouble with the 1 mile distance.

Selections: 2 – 5 – 1 – 3

Thistledown Race Course- Race 3

Post: 12:56 PM ET; $33.9k Maiden Special Weight going 5 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 6

• #4 CITY SCENE (9-5) should improve off the first start and looks best here. She goes out for the Jackson barn and gets Houghton in the irons. This one has proven to be able to handle these conditions in previous starts.
• #1 WILD MARIAH (6-1) debuts here and goes out for the Radosevich barn and gets Rivera in the irons. This one seems like good value although there are some other firsters that appear to have buzz.
• #6 GOLD HONEY (7-2) debuts here and is well bred for this spot. The morning line is a promising indicator that this one has some ability.
• #5 OFFICE CHATTER (5-2) is another debut runner with solid pedigree. This one has to be considered as the 2nd choice in the odds for the first start.

Selections: 4 – 1 – 6 – 5

Thistledown Race Course- Race 4

Post: 1:24 PM ET; $28k Allowance going 6 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 7

• #6 FLIPPING FISH (9-5) gets the top selection. He has to be respected going out for the combination of Feliciano and Feliciano. This one may benefit from a hot pace up front.
• #1 MASAI MAN (5-2) is a player here. He makes sense on speed figures. This one may benefit from a hot pace up front.
• #2 LUCKY STREAK (7-2) could get the right setup in this race. This one goes out for the Gorham barn and gets Barbaran in the irons.
• #4 YOU ARE AWESOME (10-1) is a price horse and is probably best to put underneath on most tickets. His previous figures make sense among this group of runners.

Selections: 6 – 1 – 2 – 4

Thistledown Race Course- Race 5

Post: 1:52 PM ET; $28k Allowance going 6 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 9

• #1 PERMAFROST (7-2) is the top pick. He has to be respected going out for the combination of Puhl and Gonzalez. This one makes sense on speed figures.
• #7 ONASA (3-1) appears to be a major player in this race. He should be part of the early pace in this spot. This one shouldn’t have trouble with the 6 furlong distance.
• #9 C J ALL THE WAY (8-1) should be competitive in this spot. He has races good enough to beat this group. This one has the top overall power rating in the group.
• #2 STAR ENTERTAINER (15-1) is a price horse and provides solid value. He fits on speed figures and could get the right setup in this race.

Selections: 1 – 7 – 9 – 2

Thistledown Race Course- Race 6

Post: 2:20 PM ET; $20k Starter Optional Claiming going 5 1/2 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 9

• #1 AUGER (2-1) looks best here. He has races good enough to beat this group. This one has the top overall power rating in the group.
• #5 LAUDA SPEED (4-1) appears to be a major player in this race. He goes out for the Trevino barn and gets Rodriguez in the irons.
• #2 HAGLER (7-2) should be competitive in this spot. He makes sense on speed figures. This one will likely have a lot to do in the lane, but could get up with a competitive run.
• #6 CUTLER (6-1) should be competitive in this spot. The pace may just set up perfectly for this runner.

Selections: 1 – 5 – 2 – 6

Thistledown Race Course- Race 7

Post: 2:48 PM ET; $29.7k Allowance going 6 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 7

• #1 FIT TO FLY (2-1) gets the top selection. He makes sense on speed figures. This one goes out for the Rivelli barn and is scheduled to have Loveberry in the irons pending any updates on the jockey’s condition.
• #2 CYCLONE (6-1) should be competitive in this spot. He runs evenly and looks to get a very fair pace scenario here.
• #6 MIDNIGHT MAJESTY (3-1) makes sense here. He has races good enough to beat this group. This one has proven to be able to handle these conditions in previous starts.
• #7 HIPPODROME (9-2) has races good enough to beat this group. This one has really consistent pace figures which should work well in a moderately paced race.

Selections: 1 – 2 – 6 – 7

Thistledown Race Course- Race 8

Post: 3:18 PM ET; $40.1k Allowance going 6 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 10

• #3 COWTOWN BOSS (3-1) is the top pick. He makes sense on speed figures. This one has the top overall power rating in the group.
• #8 ELLIOT THE DRAGON (4-1) goes out for the Ibarra barn and gets Batista in the irons. He rates out well against this group but is drawn outside some of his challengers.
• #2 HOPPY GILMORE (9-2) appears to be a major player in this race. He seems to fit well enough here. This one has really consistent pace figures which should work well in a moderately paced race.
• #5 SUSIE’S KID (6-1) should be competitive in this spot. He looks to be the class of the field. This one will be rolling late and has a good closing kick that could get the job done here.

Selections: 3 – 8 – 2 – 5

Thistledown Race Course- Race 9

Post: 3:57 PM ET; $75k Daniel Stearns Cleveland Gold Cup S. going 1 1/8 miles on dirt; Entries: 8

• #5 HEY EUGENE (4-1) looks best here. He seems to fit well enough here. This one has races good enough to beat this group.
• #3 PAINT THE TOWN (5-1) appears to be a major player in this race. He has proven to be able to handle these conditions in previous starts. This one comes into the race in really good form.
• #2 FAIR AND SQUARE (3-1) should be competitive in this spot. He shouldn’t have trouble with the 1 1/8 mile distance. This one goes out for the Hamm barn and gets Sanchez in the irons.
• #6 TROJAN TALE (5-2) isn’t without hope. He will likely be in the first flight of runners and should be in with a chance late.

Selections: 5 – 3 – 2 – 6

Thistledown Race Course- Race 10

Post: 4:48 PM ET; $75k George Lewis Memorial S. going 1 1/16 miles on dirt; Entries: 10

• #8 BIG TRUCK (3-1) gets the top selection. He will likely be in the first flight of runners and should be in with a chance late.
• #2 DR. ZARNETT (20-1) is a price horse and should be competitive in this spot. He has to be respected going out for the combination of Meyers and Zayas.
• #1 FIRSTHAND JUSTICE (10-1) could be in with a shot in this race. He projects to sit mid pack and come with one run. This one seems to fit well enough here.
• #9 ROMANTIC COWBOY (9-2) feels like a fringe contender in this spot. He should be part of the early pace in this spot. This one goes out for the Mcdonald barn and gets Batista in the irons.

Selections: 8 – 2 – 1 – 9

Thistledown Race Course- Race 11

Post: 5:35 PM ET; $250k Lady Jacqueline S. going 1 1/8 miles on dirt; Entries: 12

• #8 INTERSTATEDAYDREAM (7-2) is the top pick. She has the top overall power rating in the group. This one shouldn’t have trouble with the 1 1/8 mile distance.
• #6 SIXTYTHREECALIBER (5-1) should be competitive in this spot. She comes into the race in really good form. This one has tactical speed and can sit just off the leaders for a stalk and pounce trip.
• #4 LE DA VIDA (9-2) isn’t without hope. She seems to fit well enough here. This one could get the right setup in this race.
• #5 MISTY VEIL (4-1) is a definite player here. The price is a bit short on this one compared to her chances to win.

Selections: 8 – 6 – 4 – 5

Thistledown Race Course- Race 12

Post: 6:20 PM ET; $500k Ohio Derby going 1 1/8 miles on dirt; Entries: 8

• #4 TWO PHIL’S (8-5) looks best here. He has to be respected going out for the combination of Rivelli and Loveberry. This horse ran arguably the best race in the Kentucky Derby and isn’t facing that caliber of horse here.
• #7 LORD MILES (7-2) should be competitive in this spot. He comes into the race in really good form. This one looks to be the class of the field.
• #8 HAYES STRIKE (6-1) could be in with a shot in this race. He may benefit from a hot pace up front.
• #1 HENRY Q (5-1) could be in with a shot in this race. He shouldn’t have trouble with the 1 1/8 mile distance. This one makes sense based on form.

Selections: 4 – 7 – 8 – 1