By DRF.com
DEL MAR, Calif. (Aug. 5, 2024) – As the breeder and co-owner of five of the eight runners in the $101,000 CTBA Stakes at Del Mar last Sunday, it was little surprise that California Thoroughbred Breeders Association director Terry Lovingier was involved with the first three finishers.
A similar scenario may develop in Friday’s $100,000 Graduation Stakes for Golden State Sereis-eligible 2-year-olds at 5 1/2 furlongs. Of the nine entrants, Lovingier bred five and has an ownership stake in three starters, including the colt Bodacious.
Bodacious, co-owned by Lovingier, Griffin Stables, and Paul Sabesky, has had mixed results in two starts. After a dazzling win in a maiden race by 5 3/4 lengths at 4 1/2 furlongs at Santa Anita on May 3, Bodacious was sixth of 12 as the 2-1 favorite in the Bashford Manor Stakes at six furlongs at Churchill Downs on June 30.
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Lovingier insists that Bodacious — a graduate of the CTBA January Sale — deserves another chance after the loss in Kentucky and is being overlooked in the Graduation Stakes.
“He missed the break a little bit and he still went super fast,” Lovingier said. “He had the lead turning for home.
“I was disappointed that he didn’t hit the board. I wasn’t disappointed with the way he ran.”
Bodacious, trained by Jorge Periban, had three workouts in July leading to the Graduation.
“Periban thinks he’s doing great,” Lovingier said.
As a co-owner, Lovingier also starts the outsider The Gypsy Cowboy, who was seventh of 10 in a maiden race for statebreds at Del Mar on July 21, and Last Call Zondlo, who won his debut in a maiden race for statebreds at Los Alamitos on June 23. Last Call Zondlo, trained by Peter Miller, will race as a gelding for the first time on Friday.
Bodacious is by Smokem, while The Gypsy Cowboy and Last Call Zondlo are by Stay Thirsty. Smokem and Stay Thirsty stand at Lovingier’s Lovacres Farm in Warner Springs, Calif., about 60 miles northeast of Del Mar.
Lovingier also bred Graduation entrants I’m a Bad Boy and Case Hit, but does not own those geldings.
Through Wednesday, Stay Thirsty was third among California’s stallions in 2024 progeny earnings, with $2,427,300. Smiling Tiger, who was euthanized on Aug. 1 because of illness, led the list with $2,474,667.
In the CTBA Stakes alone, the first three finishers – In the Air Tonight, Thirsty Mama, and Thirsty in Vegas – gave Stay Thirsty earnings of $88,000. In the Air Tonight, trained by Steve Knapp, closed from sixth of eight to win by 5 1/4 lengths.
Lovingier said In the Air Tonight is likely to remain with statebred fillies and have her next start in the $100,000 Generous Portion Stakes at six furlongs at Del Mar on Sept. 2.
Other starters in the Graduation Stakes:
Nap is by I’ll Have Another, out of the Old mare Then and Now, was bred by owner Reddam Racing and is trained by Antonio Garcia. He is a maiden making his fourth start with earnings of $27,960.
R Heisman is a Kentucky-bred by California stallion Far From Over, out of the First American mare Parisienne, was bred by Highclere, is owned by Gary Barber and trained by Peter Miller. He has one win and two seconds in three starts, earnings of $58,200 and is coming off a second in the July 7 Everett Nevin.
Timty is by Stanford, out of the Tribal Rule mare Tribal Feathers, was bred by Wayne Atwell, is owned by Kasparoff, Tim, Leatherman, Ty and Mayberry, Thomas and trained by Doug O’Neill. He has one win in two starts, earnings of $51,120 and is coming off a third in the July 7 Everett Nevin.
Northern California Yearling Sale graduate I’m a Bad Boy is by Stay Thirsty, out of the Roman Ruler mare Donita’s Ruler, was bred by Terry Lovingier, is owned by C T R Stables and trained by Luis Mendez. The $18,000 purchase at the Northern California Yearling Sale is a maiden making his third start with earnings of $21,480.
Infamous Angel is by Pavel, out of the Ecclisiastic mare Lyla Della, was bred by Reddam Racing, is owned by Final Final Racing Stables and trained by Edward Freeman. He has one win in three starts, earnings of $36,480 and is coming off a July 7 maiden win.