Lava Man Comeback?

[Lgoldberg]

Maybe we should trust Lava Man's connections on bringing him back, especially if he earns any more moey it will be for charity. I'd bet they love him as much or more than any of us do, and would never do anything that wasn't in his best interest. And think, how many of us are always complaining that horses don't stick around any more, like they used to? I he's fit to run we should applaud this decision, not denounce it.

[Classy]

Maybe you should look at his legs and then let us know how they love him.

[Risen Star]

I'm not going to criticize the connections because I don't know them, have never talked to them about Lava Man, nor have I ever seen Lava Man in person, let alone spend any time with the horse on a regular basis.

Having said that, if he was my horse, I wouldn't race him. If he isn't happy just lounging around in retirement, I don't see why he couldn't engage in some other activity that isn't as demanding as racing would be. He's probably going to always need regular exercise anyway, so why not get him in a sport or recreational activity where he's still active? This would keep him fit, and busy.And if he's busy, he'll more likely be happy. Just give him some sunshine, fresh air, a heavy dose of human attention and affection and some recreation. Every athlete likes to stay active, so why not? Just not on the racetrack in competition. And any activity has to be determined by how his legs feel and the state of his health.

Anyway, that's my take on this.

[Dgstan]

I also have no inside knowledge of their reasoning behind this truly odd turn of events. But, could it be that the connections are yearning for the spotlight rather than the horse?

[Teri111]

Risen Star I tend to agree with you. Maybe Lava Man doesn't want to retire, but why not let him be a pony at the track. I really do not want something to go terribly wrong with him(that would break my heart). If he was a pony it would keep him at the track and maybe they could let him workout once in a while(let him beat up on some horses )so he knows he is still all that. That way he has his energy and his mind in a good place. Not Lulling around doing nothing. I would love to see him race again, I am just afraid that he cannot race at the same caliber that he was racing at. I do not want him to race at some lower level claiming races. I just want what is best for him and what makes him happy,and what keeps him healthy.

[Classy]

I do agree he does not want it looks like to hang in a pastern all day doing nothing but there must be some kind of program to keep him healthy being active but not racing.

[LuckyDuck]

I would make the line of Lava Man ever running again, as yes-110 No -110 I can't decide on a line for him winning a 4th HP GC. But stranger things have happened . Just ask Da Hoss

[Classy]

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Lava Man Retired ShareThis
Stats Updated Through: 1/24/2008
Trainer: Doug F. O'Neill Jockey: Corey S. Nakatani
Owner: STD Racing Stable and Wood, Jason
Age/Sex 7-year-old Gelding

2007 Stats:
Starts
8
1st-2nd-3rd
3-1-0
Earnings (Rank)
$1,410,000 (12)
Win % (In-The-Money %)
37% (50%)
In The News:

• Lava Man back in training, may race agai...
• Lava Man headed to Old Friends
• Thanks for the memories, Lava Man
• Lava Man won't run again
• Lava Man's career could be over
• MORE


Previous Stats:
Year Starts 1st 2nd 3rd Earnings Win % In-The-Money %
2007 8 3 1 0 $1,410,000.00 37% 50%
2006 8 7 0 0 $2,770,000.00 87% 87%
2005 8 3 0 1 $774,103.00 37% 50%

Racing Career:
Date Purse Race Name Track Grade Finish
07/20/08 $400K Eddie Read H. Del Mar 1 6
06/07/08 $300K Charles Whittingham Memorial H. Hollywood Park 1 3
04/27/08 $150K TVG Khaled S. Hollywood Park 3
11/03/07 $250K California Cup Classic H. Oak Tree At Santa Anita 6
10/07/07 $250K Oak Tree Mile S. Oak Tree At Santa Anita 2 6
08/19/07 $1M Pacific Classic S. Del Mar 1 6
06/30/07 $750K Hollywood Gold Cup S. Hollywood Park 1 1
06/09/07 $300K Charles Whittingham Memorial H. Hollywood Park 1 2
03/31/07 $5M Dubai Duty Free 16
03/03/07 $1M Santa Anita H. Santa Anita Park 1 1
01/27/07 $500K Sunshine Millions San Manuel Indian Bingo and Casi Santa Anita Park 1
11/04/06 $5M Breeders' Cup Classic Powered by Dodge Churchill Downs 1 7
10/07/06 $500K Goodwood Breeders' Cup H. Oak Tree At Santa Anita 2 1
08/20/06 $1M Pacific Classic S. Del Mar 1 1
07/08/06 $750K Hollywood Gold Cup S. Hollywood Park 1 1
06/10/06 $300K Charles Whittingham Memorial H. Hollywood Park 1 1
04/30/06 $150K TVG Khaled S. Hollywood Park 1
03/04/06 $1M Santa Anita H. Santa Anita Park 1 1
01/28/06 $1M Sunshine Millions Classic S. Santa Anita Park 1
10/01/05 $1M Jockey Club Gold Cup S. Belmont Park 1 7
08/21/05 $1M Pacific Classic S. Del Mar 1 3

Silks and Media:


Strengths: He's fast enough early to run other quality competitors into the ground, and ratable enough to sit behind if a non-sensical speed duel is brewing in front of him. Clearly strong at 1 1/4 miles based on his successes in races such as the Santa Anita Handicap, Hollywood Gold Cup and Pacific Classic – consistently in the 2:00 to 2:01 range.

Weaknesses: Struggled mightily outside of California in 2005, beating only one horse in Belmont's Jockey Club Gold Cup and running 11th in the Japan Cup Dirt. Chronic foot problems plagued him late last year, and his 2006 campaign wisely has included several grass races to protect his feet.

In The Genes: Comes from a family full of Breeders' Cup Classic history. Damsire, Nostalgia's Star, raced in the 1986 and '87 Classic renewals, while Lava Man's sire, Slew City Slew, also was a two-time Classic alumnus (1988-'89.). Dam, L'il Ms. Leonard, just like her son, was claimed during her career.

Status: Passed on the 2007 Breeders' Cup due to a last-place finish in his prep, the Oak Tree Mile. Instead contested the Cal Cup Classic, finishing sixth ... He banked $1,410,000 in 2007 to be ranked ninth on the list of top earners of all horses in North America. He has earned more than any claimed horse in history and has been honored with California-bred championships for three consecutive years since 2005 ... After an extended rest at NexStar Farm in Temecula, he returned to the races in April with a third-place finish in the Khaled. He is expected to run in the Whittingham June 7. Jockey Tyler Baze will replace Corey Nakatani, who has ridden the gelding in his previous 18 starts.

Bet You Didn't Know: The last horse to win grade 1 races in North America on dirt and turf the same season was Vanlandingham in 1985 (Jockey Club Gold Cup, D.C. International) ... With his third consecutive win in the Hollywood Gold Cup, he became the first horse to win grade 1 races over the dirt, turf and synthetic surfaces.


Do you think he has done enough, ah yeah

[Classy]

Here is what Doug said awhile back.


"I'm happy that he didn't get hurt, just aches and pains of old age. I think we did the right thing of looking at all the options and making sure this was the right thing to do."

[Dgstan]

Here is what Doug said awhile back.


"I'm happy that he didn't get hurt, just aches and pains of old age. I think we did the right thing of looking at all the options and making sure this was the right thing to do."

By "awhile back", I assume you mean back when they retired him in 2007.

I think this really says a lot about the west coast handicap division if they think LM can compete against them. I'll play him on top with Awesome Gem to complete the exacta.