Lovingier gets a hat trick of maiden winners

ARCADIA, Calif. – The fillies In the Air Tonight and Lil’ Bit Bossy and the colt Rumble King gave California breeder Terry Lovingier a sweep of the three maiden races for statebred juveniles at 4 1/2 furlongs at Santa Anita on Sunday.

All three are set to run in stakes this summer.

Lovingier co-owns each of the winners. All are by Stay Thirsty, who stands at Lovingier’s Lovacres Ranch in Warner Springs, Calif.

Rumble King closed from sixth in a field of eight to win Sunday’s seventh race with a wide rally. Ridden by Tiago Pereira, Rumble King ($11.80) overcame contact shortly after the start to win by a half-length over 24-1 Charmz Away.

Rumble King was timed in 52.77 seconds, the fastest of the three juvenile races. Trained by Steve Knapp, Rumble King earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 72.

“For him to do that at 4 1/2 furlongs, he’s a pretty good horse,” Lovingier said in the winner’s circle. “He got pinballed out of the gate.”

Lovingier said Rumble King will be considered for the $225,000 Bashford Manor Stakes at six furlongs at Churchill Downs on June 30. The stable already has Bodacious, a sharp maiden race winner on May 3, under consideration for the Bashford Manor. Jorge Periban trains Bodacious.

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Rumble King was listed as sold for $225,000 at the Fasig-Tipton California yearling sale last October to Knapp, as agent for Todd Sheehan. Rumble King is now listed as owned by Sheehan’s Cinema Thoroughbreds, Douglas Bravo, Amanda Navarro, Knapp, and Lovingier.

In the Air Tonight, ridden by Pereira for Knapp, closed from third to catch 7-2 Thirsty Mama in the final strides. In the Air Tonight ($15.80) won by a nose. She was timed in 53.01 seconds and earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 67.

“I like the way In the Air Tonight finished,” Lovingier said. “I think she’ll run on a little bit.”

Lil’ Bit Bossy, ridden by Armando Aguilar for trainer Steve Miyadi, was fully extended to outfinish 5-2 favorite Pavel’s Etoile, who closed from sixth. Lil’ Bit Bossy ($8.40) was timed in 53.34 seconds and earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 62.

In the Air Tonight and Lil’ Bit Bossy may start in the $100,000 CTBA Stakes for statebred 2-year-old fillies at 5 1/2 furlongs at Del Mar on Aug. 4.

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