Old Friends lands Lava Man as attraction
 

Just saw this... Congratulations to Michael Blowen...

http://www.oldfriendsequine.org/

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.

http://news.bloodhorse.com/article/46910.htm

This is great news...too bad he could also take in Battle Won.

Where is Battle Won now? I had read previously about him here, but?

Nice, he'll be well looked after there. Good to hear.

Dee Tee/ DT/ ATR field trip sept 19-22 sometime?:)

From (yesterdays) Oak Tree stable notes...


LEGENDARY LAVA MAN TO LEAD CAL CUP CLASSIC POST PARADE :)

Lava Man, the only horse to sweep the Grade I Santa Anita Handicap, the Grade I Hollywood Gold Cup and the Grade I Pacific Classic in the same year—2006—will lead the parade to the post for the $250,000 California Cup Classic at Oak Tree on Sunday. His regular exercise rider, Tony Romero, will accompany the 7-year-old California-bred gelding, who was retired from racing this past July.

A son of Slew City Slew, Lava Man joined the immortal gelding Native Diver as the only other three-time winner of the Hollywood Gold Cup in 2007, his third consecutive triumph in the prestigious 1 1/4-mile affair.

The greatest claim in Thoroughbred history, Lava Man was haltered for $50,000 in August of 2004 at Del Mar for the STD Racing Stable of Steve, Dave and Tracy Kenly and Jason Wood. Trained by Doug O’Neill, Lava Man made over $5 million for his new connections and retired with 17 wins and earnings of $5,268,706.

Lava Man is currently residing at Magali Farms in Santa Ynez. “He’s doing great,” said O’Neill at yesterday’s Cal Cup Draw Breakfast at Oak Tree. “He’s just kicking back and enjoying time away from the barn.”

Lava Man raced in two California Cup races, finishing second in the 2004 Classic and sixth in the 2007 Classic.

http://www.oaktreeracing.com/news/sn...edgolden100308

I guess he was to small to pull a central park carriage. Shame then BTW could have given him mints and carrots. Then again I am not sure BTW has ever touched a real horse?

Has anyone here ever stayed at the Old Friends Inn?

How come Lava Man didn't go to Kentucky? Was there some kind of falling out?

from the old friends site about lava man:


LAVA MAN UPDATE: 9/12/08

Lava Man's arrival at Old Friends has been postponed as a 'goodbye' affair is being planned for his many fans in California. The Oct. 7th open house celebrating his arrival at Old Friends will be held at a later date. More details as they become available will be posted