Stay Thirsty juveniles turn attention toward stakes off debut wins

ARCADIA, Calif. – Juveniles by the prominent California stallion Stay Thirsty won maiden races at Santa Anita last Friday and Sunday, the first races for the division this year.

The filly Tapatia Mia, who won on Friday, and Fionello, who won on Sunday, were bred by Terry Lovingier, who retains an ownership interest, and are trained by Steve Knapp. Tiago Pereira rode both winners.

Tapatia Mia stalked runaway early leader Still Unwritten before taking the lead in the final furlong. Tapatia Mia, who paid $9.20 as the second choice, ran 4 1/2 furlongs in 52.60 seconds and won by a length.

Fionello, who was favored and paid $4, disputed the pace with 9-5 Trump Era before pulling clear to win by 1 1/2 lengths, finishing 4 1/2 furlongs in 52.86.

With the wins, Fionello and Tapatia Mia become contenders for the first stakes of the year for juveniles in California, both $100,000 races for statebreds at five furlongs at the Del Mar summer meeting – the CTBA Stakes for fillies on Aug. 3 and the Graduation Stakes on Aug. 8.

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