By DRF.com
DEL MAR, Calif. (Aug. 3, 2024) — Who better to dominate the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association Stakes than one of the most prolific California breeders?
Terry Lovingier, longtime member of the CTBA Board, bred the trifecta in Sunday’s $100,000 CTBA Stakes for Golden State Series eligible 2-year-old fillies at Del Mar.
In the Air Tonight won by a convincing 5 1/4 lengths, Thirsty Mama was second and Thirsty in Vegas was third.
All three were by Lovingier’s stallion, Stay Thirsty, were bred by Lovingier and co-owned by Lovingier. Lovingier bred five of the eight starters in the race and In the Air Tonight is co-owned by Lovingier, Anthony Chacon, Victor Flores, and Tom Halasz.
The style of her win was noteworthy on Sunday, a day in which many main track winners raced on or near the lead. Sent off favored, In the Air Tonight, ridden by Tiago Pereira, ran 5 1/2 furlongs in 1:05.37 and remained unbeaten in two starts.
Starting from the outside, In the Air Tonight broke slightly behind her rivals, and was sixth early, trailing pacesetter Broadway Venus, who ran the first quarter-mile in 21.63 seconds.
Racing four-wide on the turn, In the Air Tonight closed steadily and took the lead with more than a furlong remaining.
“She ran big,” winning trainer Steve Knapp said. “She did get left a little bit.
“This one has a good turn of foot. They way she’s been training, we knew she’d run a good race.”
Thirsty in Vegas was followed by Broadway Venus, Lil’ Bit Bossy, Coralgableskaylin, Nostri Vires and Knightwithlouis.
In the Air Tonight has earned $87,400. She won her debut by a nose in a maiden race at 4 1/2 furlongs at Santa Anita on May 26, edging Thirsty Mama.
Knapp indicated that In the Air Tonight was likely to start in the $100,000 Generous Portion Stakes for statebred 2-year-old fillies at Del Mar on Sept. 2.