Terrazas Outlines Decision to Send Letruska to Curlin

After earning champion honors in Mexico before securing an Eclipse Award in the United States—where she would win five grade 1 stakes in 2021-22—Letruska  is in foal to two-time Horse of the Year and classic winner Curlin   in her first mating.

Eduardo Terrazas, owner of Terrazas Thoroughbreds in Lexington, advises owner St George Stables and recommended sending the 7-year-old daughter of Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Super Saver  —Magic Appeal, by Successful Appeal  to Curlin, who stands for $225,000 at Hill 'n' Dale Farms near Paris, Ky. Letruska is in experienced hands as she begins her new career.

Terrazas had experience working with horses in his home state of Chihuahua, Mexico, and initially worked in the racing industry at Santa Fe Downs. He began exercise riding, broke babies for Nelson Bunker Hunt, and worked as an assistant trainer for Scotty Schulhofer. 

"I traveled all over the country with the horses, and I worked as the groom, the exercise rider, everything," Terrazas said. "The only thing I did not like was that I did not have a place to call home. I'd write my mother in Mexico every month and send her money. I'd send a letter from Aqueduct and then I'd go back to Florida, and I'd have five letters from her waiting for me there. Then I'd go back to New York and there would be more letters waiting for me there. It was hard."

He would soon find more stability in terms of a home by moving to the breeding side. He would make that home in Central Kentucky, working as the stallion manager at Overbrook Farm, where he would oversee stallions such as Storm Cat and Carson City. He then moved to Taylor Made Farm to take charge of their stallion and breeding operation. In 2005, Terrazas opened Terrazas Thoroughbreds, with a client list that includes Corser Thoroughbreds, White Fox Farm, and German Larrea of St George Stables, a Mexican businessman who has been a client for about six years. 

Letruska is out of the mare Magic Appeal, who was purchased in foal to Super Saver for St George by breeder and veterinarian Oscar Benavides, and who now resides at Terrazas Thoroughbreds. Magic Appeal, now a 13-year-old broodmare, raced herself, hitting the board eight times in 18 starts. She earned her maiden win at 2 at Saratoga Race Course, took second in the Wings of Jove Stakes, and third in the Adirondack Stakes (G2). 

Besides Letruska, she has produced seven other winners from eight other starters including stakes-placed American Doll  (by Tiznow ) and grade 1-placed stakes winner Trigger Warning  (by Candy Ride  ).

Terrazas, who makes breeding recommendations to the owner and manager of St George Stables, studies to find a stallion pedigree that will work well with the mare. 

"Magic Appeal has dominant genetics," Terrazas said. "I always try to put legs on her offspring, but she tends to throw babies just like her, short and stout. I got legs on one, Prudencio  (by Arrogate ), and Arrogate's genetics were a good match." 

Prudencio, who earned a maiden special weight win last year at Gulfsteam Park, is currently racing for St George with trainer Fausto Gutierrez (who also conditioned Letruska). Other traits Magic Appeal has passed to her offspring include her deep and powerful chest. Letruska, as well as a 2-year-old filly out of Magic Appeal by Malibu Moon , both carry this striking characteristic. 

Plenty familiar with Letruska and her family, Terrazas landed on Curlin for the champion's first mating.

"When you have a mare of [this] quality it gets lonely at the top," chuckles Terrazas. "There are not too many choices [for Letruska]. She is a champion." 

Also considered for Letruska were Gun Runner  , Uncle Mo  , Quality Road  , and Into Mischief  . Terrazas sees Curlin as a good fit, noting Letruska has a lot of speed and can carry it going the distance. He noted that Letruska and Curlin have similar bodies. 

"If we can match Curlin's body with her body, and her natural speed, which she can carry, with the stamina of Curlin, it will be a beautiful combination of speed and stamina," Terrazas said. "And it got me to thinking Derby 2027 here we come!" 

St George Stables also has a breeding operation in Mexico, and, after some years, Letruska will likely transfer to Mexico to produce talented offspring who will begin their careers at the Las Américas Racetrack in Mexico City. 

Settling In

Letruska arrived at Terrazas Thoroughbreds after her retirement from racing in early November. 

"She was on her toes the first few days, but then she decided that this was what she was doing now, and she relaxed," Terrazas said. "She has been easy to deal with and she enjoys going out and kicking up her heels."

Letruska has always loved to stand and observe her surroundings, which have transformed from the bustle of the racetrack to the quiet landscape of the farm near Lexington. She already has shown maternal instincts.

"She takes real interest in the babies and thinks they are all hers," Terrazas said. "When the babies come out, she goes over and stands there for an hour or so, until she decides that they are all fine." 

From her side of the paddock, Letruska also likes to run with the weanlings—creating a dazzling troupe of motion for human eyes. Her success has led to St George Stables increasing its investment in racing and breeding.

"They used to buy certain types of mares for a price between $75,000-$150,000. They are willing to invest more now," Terrazas said. "We spend on average $200,000 per mare, and I think it is because of Letruska."

At present, Terrazas has more than 30 mares owned by Larrea at the farm. In addition, 2-year-olds owned by St George and born at Terrazas are in training. This crop includes Letruska's Malibu Moon half sister as well as a filly out of the talented Mexican Horse of the Year Jala Jala , won the Carribean Classic Stakes at Gulfstream Park and placed in the Royal Delta Stakes (G3) there. All 14 two-year-olds raised by Terrazas and owned by St George Stable will go to Gutierrez. 

Like Father, Like Daughter

As for Terrazas, the farm currently has about 200 horses under its care, including broodmares, yearlings, and foals this year. 

"We are at capacity. I have to turn away about 40 broodmare clients a year," Terrazas said. "We like to take our time with the yearlings."

His daughter, Jenny, who always wanted to dedicate herself to the family business, works right alongside him. Terrazas has three other children, all college graduates, who opted for careers outside the horse world. 

"This is always what I've wanted to do," Jenny Terrazas said. "I tried to convince my parents to let me drop out of middle school and do horses. I tried to drop out of high school to do horses, and they still made me go. I did leave college to work with my dad. It has always been what I wanted to do." 

In addition to assisting with the foaling and the daily routine on the farm, Jenny Terrazas keeps track of all of the homebreds she and her dad breed and race. She even retrains retired Thoroughbreds for a second career. 

"During foaling season, Jenny takes the night shift.  When I started as stallion manager at Taylor Made, she started doing things with me," Terrazas said. "That kid, she's never called in sick in her life. She has never complained about the work. That's very unusual because farm life is not easy. She could have gone on and gotten a job at a horse farm in an office. She reminds me a lot of me at that age. She is very dedicated. We don't care too much about fancy stuff. If it wasn't for Jenny, I don't know if I'd be running my own broodmare farm."