By Bill Finley
Jareth Loveberry, who has ridden GI Kentucky Derby runner-up Two Phil's (Hard Spun) in all but one of his nine career starts, has had to take off the mount for Saturday's GIII Ohio Derby due to an injury. Gerardo Corrales has picked up the assignment for trainer Larry Rivelli.
Loveberry rode Wednesday at Canterbury Park and experienced some pain when his horse, Artemus Citylimits (Temple City), stumbled at the start of the Dark Star Turf Sprint S.
“I had a horse stumble out of the gate and jerk my left arm,” he said. “We're not sure the severity of it now. I am waiting to go back to the doctor to hear more. The X-rays came back clean but there might be some tissue damage. I am waiting for an MRI. I need an MRI to check the muscles and ligaments and all that to see if there is any damage there.”
Loveberry was booked to ride in the following race, the Canterbury Derby, but was taken off that mount.
The jockey's problems may have begun Sunday at Ellis Park during training hours when he was aboard a horse that stumbled and fell. He was not sure if both incidents contributed to his injury.
He said it was too early to know how long he would be out for.
“I won't know that until we know the severity of the injury and whether or not I will need therapy,” he said. “It's not so much that I am in pain. It's more discomfort. Talking to you right now, I'm not in pain. But there are certain positions I put my arm in and it starts to burn. There is a lot of discomfort.”
I guess the news is out there now. I'm devastated not to be riding #TwoPhils this weekend. Hopefully the Dr report won't let me be out too long 🙏🤞 https://t.co/9rhG9wu5gn
— Jareth Loveberry (@jareth16) June 23, 2023
When reached by phone, Loveberry was clearly downcast. Though he's won 1,771 races and two riding titles at Arlington Park, he has not had many chances on horses capable of winning at the Grade I level. In addition to finishing second in the Derby, Loveberry has guided Two Phil's to wins in the GIII Street Sense S. and the GIII Jeff Ruby Steaks.
“How am I handling it? Not very good,” he said. “It's part of the life of being a jockey. I'll just have to heal up. I have had quite a few injuries, unfortunately. You try to work hard and come back the right rime. It's important not to come back too early because then you can show weakness. But if I can come back at full strength I think I will be fine.”
He said he will be watching the Ohio Derby from his home in Chicago and will be pulling for Two Phil's.
“I'll be rooting for him. I love that horse,” he said.
Corrales rode Two Phil's in his first career start, finishing fifth in a maiden race at Churchill Downs. Loveberry was the leading rider at Arlington Park in 2020 and 2021.
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