COMEBACKING THIRSTY JOHN TAKES $200,000 CALIFORNIA CUP DERBY BY A HALF LENGTH AS HERNANDEZ & MILLER TEAM FOR 1 1/16 MILE SCORE IN 1:45.51

RACE IS PART OF LUCRATIVE CTBA-SPONSORED GOLDEN STATE SERIES

ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 7, 2023)—Away since May 14 and in only his second career start, Terry Lovingier’s homebred Thirsty John proved too much for six fellow California-breds on Saturday at Santa Anita, as he went to the front and took the $200,000 California Cup Derby by a half length under Juan Hernandez. Trained by Peter Miller, the 3-year-old colt by Stay Thirsty got a mile and one sixteenth in 1:45.51.

The Cal Cup Derby is part of the lucrative CTBA-sponsored Golden State Series for eligible California-bred or sired runners.

Based at San Luis Rey Downs, Thirsty John, who took his 4 ½ furlong debut here by 3 ¼ lengths when trained by Walther Solis, settled into a nice rhythm up the backside and had a half length advantage on a determined Giver Not a Taker leaving the quarter pole and kept him at bay the length of the stretch to win impressively.

Ridden back by Hernandez, Thirsty John was the second choice in the wagering at 2-1 and paid $6.60, $3.80 and $2.60.

Bred by Lovingier and out of his Discreet Cat mare Discreet Dee, Thirsty John is owned by Lovingier, Tom London and Eugene Zondlo. With the winner’s share of $110,000, Thirsty John now has earnings of $150,200.

The 8-5 favorite with Flavien Prat up, Giver Not a Taker was getting to the winner on the money, but came up short in a gutty effort while returning $2.80 and $2.10.

Golden Gate Fields-based Passarando kept to his task determinedly and finished 2 ¼ lengths in front of Crypto Ride. Off at 5-2 with Umberto Rispoli, Passarando paid $2.40 to show.

Fractions on the race were 23.45, 47.68, 1:11.90 and 1:38.32.