Trainer Doug O'Neill says the venerable Lava Man, working out at Hollywood Park since September, is nearing his return to the races.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Lava Man, the former claimer who earned more than $5 million, has returned to training at Doug O'Neill's Hollywood Park barn. The 8-year-old gelding worked three furlongs in :36 flat Sept. 23 at Hollywood, his first official work.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Einstein, a leading candidate for 2009 Horse of the Year midway through the season, will try to make history by becoming the first horse to win grade I events on dirt, turf and synthetics in the same year in the $600,000 Stephen Foster Handicap (gr. I) June 13 at Churchill Downs.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Midnight Cry Stable's Einstein, runner-up to Curlin in last year's Stephen Foster Handicap (gr. I), topped a list of 20 nominees for this year's renewal, which will be run June 13 at Churchill Downs.
Thursday, June 04, 2009
Lava Man, one of the all-time great California breds who was retired in July with earnings of $5,268,706, will lead the parade to the post for the $250,000 California Cup Classic at Oak Tree on Oct. 5.
Saturday, October 04, 2008
Hosted by Lenny Shulman and Steve Haskin, "And They're Off" is a bi-monthly online video series sponsored by Darby Dan Farm. This week's topics include European Breeders' Cup Classic prospects, Big Brown's run in the Monmouth Stakes, and more.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
A jubilant Michael Blowen announced Thursday that Lava Man, one of the great geldings of all time, is scheduled to arrive at Old Friends on Sept. 16, where he will live out the rest of his days.
Thursday, September 04, 2008
Hosted by Lenny Shulman and Steve Haskin, "And They're Off" is a bi-monthly online video series sponsored by Darby Dan Farm. This week's topics include Big Brown, an interview with Kenny McPeek, the Hall of Fame, and Lava Man.
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
Two key men in Doug O'Neill's Del Mar barn were saddened by the announcement that seven-time grade I winner Lava Man won't be coming to the barn anymore.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Lava Man, a seven-time grade I-winner and earner of $5,268,706, has been retired.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
There's a good chance Lava Man may have raced for the last time in the July 20 Eddie Read Handicap (gr. IT) at Del Mar.
Monday, July 21, 2008
Following his best effort since capturing the 2007 Hollywood Gold Cup (gr. I), seven-time grade I winner Lava Man faces six well matched rivals in the $400,000 Eddie Read Handicap (gr. IT) on the Del Mar turf course July 20.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Lava Man, who tied Native Diver's record of three straight Hollywood Gold Cup (gr. I) victories last year, won't be going for a fourth one on June 28.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Artiste Royal, who had only one win in 13 lifetime starts on U.S. soil, broke through with a gutsy effort in the $300,000 Charles Whittingham Memorial Handicap (gr. IT) June 7 at Hollywood Park, holding off a trio of horses in the final yards to score by a neck under David Flores.
Saturday, June 07, 2008
Beaten by a nose as the 2-5 favorite in the Jim Murray Memorial Handicap (gr. IIT) one month ago, Champs Elysees tries to atone in the $300,000 Charles Whittingham Memorial Handicap (gr. IT) on the Hollywood Park turf course June 7.
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Mr. Wolverine spoiled the return of California star Lava Man in the $150,000 TVG Khaled Stakes April 27, getting control at the eighth pole and ambling to a 1 3/4-length victory at Hollywood Park.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
The return of three-time Hollywood Gold Cup (gr. I) winner Lava Man and a 13-horse field in the richest event of the day, the $250,000 Cal National Snow Chief Stakes, highlights the $1.3-million Cal National Gold Rush program at Hollywood Park April 27.
Friday, April 25, 2008
Hollywood Park may be celebrating its 70th anniversary season, but the question remains, will the Southern California track be around in 2009 for its 71st? "I just don't know -- nobody knows," said F. Jack Liebau, Hollywood Park president, on opening day, April 23.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Lava Man, probably the most popular Thoroughbred to race in California during this decade, had his final workout April 20 in preparation for his scheduled 2008 debut in the $150,000 TVG Khaled Stakes April 27 at Hollywood Park.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Three-time Hollywood Gold Cup (gr. I) winner Lava Man, recently reunited with his favorite groom, Noe Garcia, seems back to being his old self, trainer Doug O'Neill says. The 7-year-old is due to return to competition April 27 at Hollywood Park.
Friday, April 18, 2008
Lava Man, who worked six furlongs under regular exercise rider Tony Romero in 1:14 2/5 at Hollywood Park April 5, is "on target" to make his 2008 debut in the $150,000 Khaled Stakes April 27, according to trainer Doug O'Neill.
Monday, April 07, 2008
Lava Man, who is gearing up for a 2008 campaign to add to his career earnings of $5,214,706, had his first recorded workout of the year at Hollywood Park Wednesday morning, March 12, for trainer Doug O'Neill.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Lava Man is scheduled to have his first workout of the year the morning of March 12 at Hollywood Park, according to trainer Doug O'Neill.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Lava Man is scheduled to have his first workout of 2008 Wednesday morning at Hollywood Park, according to trainer Doug O'Neill.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
It is all systems go for a trip to Dubai by Spring At Last, who worked an easy four furlongs in :50 1/5 at Hollywood Park Feb. 25 for trainer Doug O'Neill.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Multiple grade I winner Nashoba's Key was named California-bred Horse of the Year for 2007 during the Feb. 18 California Thoroughbred Breeders Association's (CTBA) annual meeting and awards dinner at the Langham Huntington Hotel and Spa in Pasadena, Calif.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Inside Information features Lava Man, trainer Wally Dollase and private clockers.
Monday, February 04, 2008
Lava Man is back at the Doug O'Neill barn at Hollywood Park to prepare for a 2008 campaign.
Saturday, February 02, 2008
Lava Man DVDs are on sale at Hollywood Park for $10, with all proceeds going to the family of groom Noe Garcia, who had his left arm severed in a car accident in August.
Sunday, December 09, 2007
A change in strategy by trainer William Morey Jr. and jockey Russell Baze helped propel the 4-year-old Bold Chieftain to the biggest win of his career in Oak Tree's $250,000 California Cup Classic at Santa Anita Nov. 3. It was another disappointing outcome for favored Lava Man, who faded in the stretch to finish off the board.
Saturday, November 03, 2007
Despite struggling in his last two starts, Lava Man seems a clear standout against fellow state-breds in Oak Tree's $250,000 California Cup Classic presented by Smith Barney at Santa Anita Nov. 3.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Navy Aircraft Mechanic first class Johnny Arrendondo Ponce became the first non-track worker to win the Race Track Chaplaincy of America's White Horse Award when it was presented Oct. 25 at the Taylor Made Stallions' White Horse Heroes Luncheon at Monmouth Park.
Thursday, October 25, 2007
No longer under consideration for the Breeders' Cup after his last-place finish in the Oak Tree Mile (gr. IIT) a week ago, Lava Man is being pointed to the $250,000 California Cup Classic at Santa Anita Nov. 3.
Sunday, October 14, 2007
The Brazilian-bred Out of Control stole the spotlight from Lava Man and Surf Cat in Oak Tree's $252,000 Oak Tree Mile (gr. IIT) with a heart-pounding nose victory over Zann at Santa Anita Park Oct. 7.
Sunday, October 07, 2007
The drunken driver who caused a crash that severed the arm of a groom for Lava Man, the richest claiming horse in Thoroughbred racing history, was sentenced Oct. 4 to five years in state prison.
Friday, October 05, 2007
Multiple grade II winner Surf Cat makes his turf racing debut Oct. 7 for trainer Bruce Headley when he tackles Lava Man and four others in the $250,000 Oak Tree Breeders' Cup Mile (gr. IIT) at Santa Anita.
Thursday, October 04, 2007
Morning Line favorite Lava Man was withdrawn from Saturday's $500,000 Goodwood (gr. I) at Santa Anita by trainer Doug O'Neill. The California star is expected to run in the $250,000 Oak Tree Breeders' Cup Mile (gr. II) on grass Oct. 7.
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Well beaten in the Pacific Classic last time out, California star Lava Man has an opportunity to prove he's as good as ever when he takes on nine rivals in the $500,000 Goodwood Breeders' Cup (gr. I) at Oak Tree's Santa Anita meeting Sept. 29.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Santa Anita racetrack will unveil racing over the Cushion Track surface Sept. 26 when the Oak Tree Racing Association begins its 39th season.
Friday, September 21, 2007
He's saddled starters in several different countries, hoisted trophies at tracks from Santa Anita to Belmont Park, and trained champion horses to victory in the world's top races, but trainer Doug O'Neill came full circle at a bullring track Sept. 9 when he saddled the 1,000th winner of his career during Fairplex Park's 16-day meet.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
A long-range look at how the Breeders' Cup Classic Powered by Dodge (gr. I) is shaping up, ranked in order, and with the latest odds in the Wynn Las Vegas Race Book.
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
In a sign of the times, a Midwest also-ran with a liking for Polytrack came west to win the $1-million Pacific Classic (gr. I) at Del Mar Aug. 19. Student Council, purchased recently by Ro Parra's Millennium Farms to run in the 1 1/4-mile test, vanquished Lava Man and upset a large field at odds of 23-1 at Del Mar.
Monday, August 20, 2007
Among the 12 rivals entered against Lava Man in the $1-million Pacific Classic (gr. I) Aug. 19, several could undoubtedly be considered from barns that are taking a shot, perhaps because their horse has shown an affinity for Del Mar's Polytrack or because they believe the California champion is vulnerable. That's not the case for trainer John Shirreffs, who heads into the 1 1/4-mile event with a one-two punch.
Friday, August 17, 2007
Defending champion Lava Man drew the rail as the 5-2 morning line favorite for the $1-million Pacific Classic Sunday.
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Lava Man and A.P. Xcellent, who staged a dramatic Hollywood Gold Cup (gr. I) stretch duel won by the California star by a nose on June 30, are among 13 horses entered in the $1 million Pacific Classic (gr. I) at Del Mar Aug. 19.
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Emotions are sure to run high when Lava Man attempts to defend his title in the $1-million Pacific Classic (gr. I) at Del Mar Aug. 19.
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Defending Pacific Classic (gr. I) champion Lava Man had his final major prep for the $1 million test on Aug. 19 when he breezed six furlongs before the first race Saturday in 1:14 4/5 over Del Mar's Polytrack surface.
Saturday, August 11, 2007
Twenty-three horses were nominated -- with 13 considered likely -- for the $1 million Pacific Classic (gr. I) at 1 1/4 miles on the Del Mar Polytrack Aug. 19, including defending champion Lava Man.
Friday, August 10, 2007
Lava Man moved a step closer to defending his 2006 Pacific Classic (gr. I) title with a five-furlong workout in 1:01 2/5 the morning of Aug. 3 on Del Mar's Polytrack.
Friday, August 03, 2007
A poker tournament will be held at the Del Mar Hilton Aug. 16 to benefit Noe Garcia, the groom for Lava Man who was seriously injured in an automobile collision July 23 near the racetrack.
Thursday, August 02, 2007
