If Lava Man wasn't the worst shipper ever - I have no idea who was.

He was a first-ballot Hall of Famer on California form...and a $10,000 claimer away from it.

Three Holywood Gold Cups, Two Big Caps, a Pacific Classic, a Sunshine Million Classics on both dirt and turf...first horse to ever win a Grade 1 on dirt, turf, and synthetic, over $5 million in earnings, Beyers in the 120 range at peak.

Here is Lava Man's career record outside of California:

* Sunshine Million Classic: 7th by 14.5 lengths behind 70/1 shot Musique Toujours.

* Jockey Club Gold Cup: 7th by 45 lengths

* Japan Cup Dirt: 11th place

* Breeders Cup Classic: 7th by 16 lengths (Giacomo 4th by 4.5 lengths and Brother Derek 5th by 5 lengths -- Lava Man toyed with both in his prior start at SA in the Goodwood)

* Dubai: 16th place and eased.


He was literally 15-to-45 lengths better in So. Cal

I hate when I ask questions and the answers are possibly obvious to all but me, but . . .

Why?

Who knows.

I've heard Larhage speculate on behavior issues he'd have when he shipped...but the bottom line is that he basically had a complete meltdown everytime he shipped for a race.

He'd come back to So. Cal and revert to his peak form.

You are correct, he is a complete head case when he ships, I'm curious how he will be ponying for the Derby, I personally wouldn't risk his health for that, I had a mare just like him, it was a nightmare handling her and she developed a severe ulcer.