The ball is in Lava Man's court. If he wins 2-3 more races at the Grade 1 level this year and runs 1st or 2nd in the BC Classic he wins, unless Flower Alley wins the 3 grade 1's he is aiming towards- Whitney, Jockey Club and BC Classic. If Flower Alley is the horse to defeat Lava Man in the BC Classic and Lava Man runs 2nd, Lava Man still wins HOY.
I dont give any 3 year old any shot at HOY except for Showing Up. Not crazy about Bernardini winning anymore than 1 grade 1 and that wont be enough.
Now if Showing Up were to stay on grass and win 3 grade 1's including a BC race, he would be HOY.
