Owner-breeder Lovingier has a hand in another 2-year-old stakes

As the breeder and co-owner of five of the eight runners in the $101,000 CTBA Stakes at Del Mar last Sunday, it was little surprise that Terry Lovingier was involved with the first three finishers.

A similar scenario may develop in Friday’s $100,000 Graduation Stakes for statebred 2-year-olds at 5 1/2 furlongs. Of the nine entrants, Lovingier bred five and has an ownership stake in three starters, including the colt Bodacious.

Bodacious, co-owned by Lovingier, Griffin Stables, and Paul Sabesky, has had mixed results in two starts. After a dazzling win in a maiden race by 5 3/4 lengths at 4 1/2 furlongs at Santa Anita on May 3, Bodacious was sixth of 12 as the 2-1 favorite in the Bashford Manor Stakes at six furlongs at Churchill Downs on June 30.

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Lovingier insists that Bodacious deserves another chance after the loss in Kentucky and is being overlooked in the Graduation Stakes.

“He missed the break a little bit and he still went super fast,” Lovingier said. “He had the lead turning for home.

“I was disappointed that he didn’t hit the board. I wasn’t disappointed with the way he ran.”

Bodacious, trained by Jorge Periban, had three workouts in July leading to the Graduation.

“Periban thinks he’s doing great,” Lovingier said.

As a co-owner, Lovingier also starts the outsider The Gypsy Cowboy, who was seventh of 10 in a maiden race for statebreds at Del Mar on July 21, and Last Call Zondlo, who won his debut in a maiden race for statebreds at Los Alamitos on June 23. Last Call Zondlo, trained by Peter Miller, will race as a gelding for the first time on Friday.

Bodacious is by Smokem, while The Gypsy Cowboy and Last Call Zondlo are by Stay Thirsty. Smokem and Stay Thirsty stand at Lovingier’s Lovacres Farm in Warner Springs, Calif., about 60 miles northeast of Del Mar.

Lovingier also bred Graduation entrants I’m a Bad Boy and Case Hit, but does not own those geldings.

Through Wednesday, Stay Thirsty was third among California’s stallions in 2024 progeny earnings, with $2,427,300. Smiling Tiger, who was euthanized on Aug. 1 because of illness, led the list with $2,474,667.

In the CTBA Stakes alone, the first three finishers – In the Air Tonight, Thirsty Mama, and Thirsty in Vegas – gave Stay Thirsty earnings of $88,000. In the Air Tonight, trained by Steve Knapp, closed from sixth of eight to win by 5 1/4 lengths.

Lovingier said In the Air Tonight is likely to remain with statebred fillies and have her next start in the $100,000 Generous Portion Stakes at six furlongs at Del Mar on Sept. 2.

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