By Mike Curry
Lava Man proved a force to be reckoned with in California last year and the five-time Grade 1 winner can build upon momentum gained from a victorious seasonal bow when he faces eight challengers on Saturday in the $1-million Santa Anita Handicap (G1).
The six-year-old Slew City Slew gelding was unbeatable in California last year regardless of surface or competition. He won six graded stakes, including Grade 1 races on both turf and dirt. His success has led to lofty comparisons, including John Henry, also a Grade 1 winner on turf and dirt and a repeat winner of the Santa Anita Handicap in 1981 and ‘82.
Defending Big ‘Cap winner Lava Man can duplicate the latter feat with a win on Saturday.
“His versatility is truly amazing,” trainer Doug O’Neill said. “I’m honored that he is even talked about in the same sentence with the likes of John Henry.”
Lava Man won each of his seven starts in California in 2006, but closed his campaign with a disappointing seventh-place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Classic Powered by Dodge (G1) on November 4 at Churchill.
Among his wins was a previously unaccomplished sweep of Southern California’s prestigious big three—the Santa Anita Handicap, Pacific Classic (G1) and Hollywood Gold Cup (G1) Stakes.
His Breeders’ Cup defeat fueled speculation, however, that Lava Man is less formidable outside of his home state, a critique O’Neill hopes to show is invalid in the $5-million Dubai Duty Free (UAE-G1) on March 31 at Nad al Sheba racecourse—provided, of course, Lava Man lives up to his expectations as the 4-to-5 morning-line favorite for the ‘Big Cap.
“If he were to run well Saturday and come out of it well, that would be a strong game plan,” said O’Neill, who trains Lava Man for owners STD Racing Stable and Jason Wood.
Lava Man will be ridden by regular jockey Corey Nakatani, and will concede from eight to ten pounds to his opponents in the Big ‘Cap as the 124-pound highweight.
“I don’t think 124 pounds will bother him,” Nakatani said. “He’s a great horse, but any time you give weight to horses like these, there’s a chance of getting beat. Still, I know what kind of horse he is and I think he can handle it. He’s the best horse in the race and that’s how I’ll ride him.”
Opposing trainer Steve Specht had no reservations about sending out Grade 2 winner McCann’s Mojave to face Lava Man. McCann’s Mojave enters off a two-length victory in the $1-million Sunshine Millions Classic Stakes at Gulfstream Park on January 27.
“You can’t take anything away from Lava Man,” Specht said. “He’s a good horse, but he’s no special horse, in my opinion. He’s not a horse like Secretariat or Spectacular Bid, horses that were so monstrous. He’s not in that league. He’s beaten some of the same horses that we’ve beaten.
“I don’t think he’s that big of a cinch in the race. I think we have a chance of beating him if we get a good trip. It’s worth taking a shot.”
Grade 1 winner Boboman, Grade 2 winners Arson Squad, Awesome Gem, Ball Four, and Molengao (Brz), and Grade 1-placed Spring At Last round out the Santa Anita Handicap field.
Mike Curry is a Thoroughbred Times daily news editor
The field, in post-position order with (sire), jockey, weight and trainer:
1. Awesome Gem (Awesome Again), Tyler Baze, 116, Craig Dollase;
2. El Roblar (War Chant), Richard Migliore, 114, Richard Mandella;
3. Boboman (Kingmambo), Alex Solis, 115, Richard Mandella;
4. Ball Four (Grand Slam), Julien Leparoux, 116, Patrick Biancone;
5. Spring At Last (Silver Deputy), David Flores, 115, Doug O'Neill;
6. Molengao [Brz] (Royal Academy), Victor Espinoza, 116, Paulo Lobo;
7. Lava Man (Slew City Slew), Corey Nakatani, 124, Doug O'Neill;
8. Arson Squad (Brahms), Garrett Gomez, 117, Bruce Headley; and
9. McCann's Mojave (Memo [Chi]), Frank Alvarado, 115, Steven Specht.