Lovinger eager to test unbeaten Cal Cup Derby winner Thirsty John

ARCADIA, Calif. – Thirsty John could appear in a stakes for 3-year-olds anywhere in the nation after winning his stakes debut in Saturday’s $200,000 California Cup Derby for statebreds at Santa Anita.

The win had breeder and co-owner Terry Lovingier eager to try Thirsty John in a Triple Crown prep race, pending conversations with trainer Peter Miller.

“I told Peter, ‘We’ll travel anywhere and do anything you want to do,’ ” Lovingier said Saturday afternoon.

Thirsty John, co-owned by Tom London and Eugene Zondlo, won his debut in a maiden race at 4 1/2 furlongs at Santa Anita last May. The California Cup Derby was his second start.

Ridden by Juan Hernandez, Thirsty John ($6.60) led throughout and held off a late threat from 8-5 Giver Not a Taker to win the California Cup Derby by a half-length while covering 1 1/16 miles in 1:45.51.

“He’ll get five to 10 lengths [benefit] off of that,” Lovingier said of Thirsty John. “I’m excited about him.”

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Thirsty John had a bone chip removed from an ankle last year, resulting in the layoff.

“It wasn’t big,” Lovingier said. “It was the right thing to do.”

Walther Solis trained Thirsty John for his first start. Miller began training Thirsty John a few months ago when Solis took a position as farm manager at Lovingier’s farm in Warner Springs, Calif.

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