Lava Man, one of two three-time winners of the Hollywood Gold Cup (gr. I), will lead the post parade when the Betfair Hollywood Park signature race is run for the 74th time July 6.
A $50,000 claim by trainer Doug O’Neill for owners Steve, Tracy, and Dave Kenly’s STD Racing Stable and Jason Wood Aug. 13, 2004, the Slew City Slew gelding developed into a multiple graded stakes winner and earned more than $5.26 million in 47 starts.
The California-bred Lava Man matched Native Diver (1965-67) with three consecutive Gold Cup victories, beginning with a record 8 3/4-length romp in 2005 and ending with a thrilling nose decision over A.P. Xcellent in 2007. His 2006 Gold Cup victory over Ace Blue was also by a nose.
Lava Man, now 12, is still active at the track as a stable pony for O’Neill.
Bred by Lonnie Arterburn and Eve and Kim Kuhlmann, Lava Man was a grade I winner on three surfaces (dirt, synthetic, grass) at Hollywood Park. In addition to his Gold Cup victories on dirt and Cushion Track, the dark bay won the 2006 Charles Whittingham Memorial Handicap on grass.
Seven of Lava Man’s 17 victories came at Hollywood Park, which is closing at the end of the year.
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