Te Rapa Well Spotted in Super Bowl Party
Te Rapa is taking a precipitous drop on Sunday.
The 6-year-old Wild Zone gelding faded to seventh and last for a $200,000 pot in the Grade II San Gabriel Stakes in his most recent start, on Jan. 4. Sunday he runs for $40,000 in the Super Bowl Party Starter Handicap.
“It’s definitely a softer spot,” said trainer Howard Zucker, who conditions the Kentucky-bred. “It’s what we were looking for. Hopefully, he handles the ground. The horse has always been good in the spring, the summer and the fall when we haven’t had any rain and the turf gets really hard.
“We just had a real penetrating rain here (Thursday), so we’re hoping there’s not a whole lot of cut to the ground for him, but we’ll have to try it.”
Te Rapa will have a new rider Sunday. Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith takes over for Kayla Stra, who had ridden the turf specialist in his last eight races, winning three.
The field for the Super Bowl Party Handicap, race six on an eight-race program that starts at 11 a.m.: Yomybato, Corey Nakatani, 12-1; Depreciable, Joe Talamo, 9-2; Bluegrass Reward, Fernando Perez, 15-1; Buenos Dias, Brice Blanc, 12-1; Tiz Dynamic, Martin Pedroza, 5-1; Husband’s Folly, Irving Orozco, 8-1; Olympic Blue, Rafael Bejarano, 5-2; Mr. Candy Bar, Tyler Baze, 12-1; and Te Rapa, Mike Smith, 9-5.
TERRY LOVINGIER APPOINTED TO TOC BOARD
The board of directors of the Thoroughbred Owners of California (TOC) unanimously voted to appoint Terry Lovingier to fill a vacancy on the board created by the recent resignation of Madeline Auerbach.
Lovingier, a native of Oklahoma who was raised in Lakewood, CA, has had a lifelong love of horses. With his wife Barbara, he owns and operates Lovacres Ranch in Warner Springs just east of Temecula.
The ranch encompasses over 500 acres and is home to several Thoroughbred stallions, including Awesome Gambler, Empire Way, Time To Get Even, Bushwacked, Grace Upon Grace, and Swiss Yodeler. Lovingier, who races mainly in partnerships, has campaigned many good runners including Willa B Awesome and currently has Willie B Awesome, Time For Angie, Time for a Hug and Takem By Surprise.
“Terry brings a wealth of experience as both a breeder and an owner to the TOC board,” said Chairman Mike Pegram. “As a member of the CTBA board of directors as well, he will be a great asset in helping us nurture a strong working relationship between our two organizations.”
“I look forward to working on behalf of California owners and know there is much work to be done,” said Lovingier. “We need to take care of the people who take care of our industry, such as the breeders, the gamblers, and the owners who race the horses.
“We need to make sure our fans don’t go elsewhere, such as Las Vegas, because we haven’t catered to them. We need to look at all the options and put together packages that entice new people, especially youngsters, to participate. We also need to keep our focus on the welfare of the horses.”
TOC is the official organization serving new, veteran and future Thoroughbred owners in the state. It represents, advances, and protects owners’ interests and rights in legislative, administrative and business matters. www.toconline.com.