In the Air Tonight rallies, prevails in CTBA Stakes
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DEL MAR, Calif. - In the Air Tonight remained unbeaten after two starts with a wide rally in her stakes debut in Sunday’s $101,000 CTBA Stakes for 2-year-old statebred fillies at Del Mar.
The style of the 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, finished a convincing 5 1/4 lengths in front of 5-1 Thirsty Mama, who was 2 1/2 lengths clear of 4-1 Thirsty in Vegas.
The first three finishers are by the California stallion Stay Thirsty and were bred at Terry Lovingier’s Lovacres Farm in Warner Springs, Calif. While all three were listed as sold as yearlings last fall, Lovingier retains ownership in each.
In the Air Tonight is co-owned by Lovingier, Anthony Chacon, Victor Flores, and Tom Halasz.
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In the Air Tonight ($6.20) ran 5 1/2 furlongs in 1:05.37 and earned a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 74.
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.
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