Terranova II, 34, began to gain an interest in racing at a young age through his father, John, who owned Thoroughbreds. Terranova II often went to the barns, enjoyed going to Saratoga every summer, and after studying business for 2 ½ years at Boston College, he took a break to work at the racetrack and never went back to school.
     He worked as an assistant to trainer Dominick Imperio before taking out his trainer's license in 1992.
     Now based at Belmont Park (barn #7), Terranova II also typically maintains a winter division in Florida to race at Gulfstream Park and usually oversees 20-30 horses. When in Florida, his New York operation is tended to by his wife and assistant trainer, Tonja Terranova. Tonja, who previously worked as an assistant for trainers Bob Baffert and Brian Mayberry, often cares for Baffert's shippers. In the fall of 1999, she saddled the Baffert-trained River Keen to victories in the Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold and Woodward handicaps.
     John has trained horses for prominent owners such as Gatsas Thoroughbreds LLC and Team Valor Stables LLC. His career highlights include training Gander, a career earner of more than $1.8 million in purses and a multiple New York-bred champion; Shadow Caster, winner of the Grade 2 Forego Handicap at Saratoga in 2000; and Star of Valor, winner of the Grade 3 Aqueduct Handicap in 1998.
     Gander, retired in the summer of 2004 at age 8, raced steadily under Terranova II's supervision for four years and along the way won eight of 35 starts including the Grade 2 Meadowlands Cup, $250,000 Empire Classic Handicap, and Evan Shipman and Kings Point handicaps.
     Terranova II has achieved his career-best statistics since 2000, generally winning with about 15-percent of his runners and finishing in the money with between 38 and 45 percent of his runners. In terms of purse earnings, his best years came in 2001 and 2002 when his horses earned between $1.2 and 1.4 million in purses in each year.
     Terranova II was born in Syosset, New York, and his association with IEAH Stables began in January 2005.
     "I'm excited about training for IEAH Stables," Terranova II said. "I'm looking forward to the relationship and think it can be a very good thing for all involved."