By UTSanDiego.com
DEL MAR, Calif. (July 18, 2014) — CTBA Director Terry Lovingier and Walther Solis not only have ranches across from each other in Warner Springs, but the two men are friends and partners in developing race horses.
On Friday night, one of those horses, a 2-year-old Ghostzapper filly, My Fiona, delivered their first stakes win ever at Del Mar, the $100,500 California Thoroughbred Breeders Association Stakes (CTBA) for Golden State Series eligible 2-year-old fillies. Favored My Fiona, ridden by Fernando Perez, battled trainer Blake Heap’s Lost Bus, with jockey Victor Espinoza, down the stretch and won by a neck.
“It’s really amazing,” said Solis, who once was director of horse operations at Golden Eagle Farm and served as assistant to Ceasar Dominquez for eight years before going on his own. “We thought a lot about this filly when she was growing up. We thought we were onto something special. Right now she’s still learning how to run, so there’s no telling. She’s been training at Los Alamitos, and I can’t say enough about how our horses are training there and coming out ready to run like this.”
Harris Auerbach, who is vice president of the CTBA, said the win couldn’t happen to a better owner and trainer.
“Great win for Walter and just a great win for this man, Terry Lovingier, who puts more money and more effort into the game than anyone I know,” Auerbach said.
Lovingier is partners in the horse with Tom Beckerle and Amanda Navarro. He said they all loved this 2-year-old filly shortly after she was born.
“She stood up with 30 minutes after being born, 155 pounds,” said Lovingier, who has Love Acres in Warner Springs. “I love the game. It’s a big passion for me.”
My Fiona paid $13, $4.40, $3.40. She covered the 5½ furlongs in 1:04.90. Lost Bus, the 3-5 favorite, was second and paid $2.80, $2.60. Take Back Spring was third for trainer Doug O’Neill and paid $8.20.
It not only was Perez’ first win at Del Mar, but it was his first stakes victory, too. He did a great job holding onto My Fiona in the stretch when she battled Lost Bus. There was some NASCAR action down the lane.
“She was a little green,” Perez said. “When she got bumped she didn’t quite know what to do. But by the end of the race she was running very well. She responded better when I hand rode her. She liked that better than the whip. This is my first stakes win at Del Mar. In fact, it is my first win at Del Mar. I am so happy. This is so good. ”
Lovingier owns the dam, A Vision in Gray (by Two Punch).
“I bought the mare (A Vision in Gray) at the Keeneland November sale before Ghostzapper was a hot sire,” Lovingier said.
As for future plans for My Fiona, Lovingier will let Solis decide that. My Fiona now has two wins from three starts and took a third in the Landaluce Stakes at Santa Anita on June 22. She has earned $95,600.
Notes: Tyler Baze and his wife, Christina, are expecting their first baby girl within the next two weeks . . . trainer John Shirreffs, who conditioned the great Zenyatta, was spotted on the backstretch Friday. He said he has five stalls here and will split time between here and Saratoga this summer. He said his first entry will be Modern Woman on July 25 . . . the meeting’s first Donuts At Del Mar, and Daybreak At Del Mar with Jeff Bloom are today . . . if you’re new to handicapping, check out Frank Scatoni’s Newcomer Seminar, 1 p.m. to 1:45 at Plaza de Mexico. Great information and betting tips on the day’s card.