http://www.drf.com/news/article/96553.html
Lava Man's career likely over
By STEVE ANDERSEN
DEL MAR, Calif. - Lava Man, the $50,000 claimer who went on to win seven Grade 1 races and earn more than $5 million, has probably run his last race.
Monday, a day after Lava Man finished last of six in the Grade 1 Eddie Read Handicap at Del Mar, owners Steve Kenly and Jason Wood and trainer Doug O’Neill had several conversations regarding the future of the 7-year-old gelding. Most centered around ending Lava Man’s racing career, although Kenly stopped short of actually saying it.
"The R word is a tough thing to say," Kenly said. He said it was "pretty slim" that Lava Man would start again.
O’Neill, who has trained Lava Man since he was claimed for $50,000 on Aug. 13, 2004, was advising Wood and Kenly to end the gelding’s career.
"We’re definitely kicking him out and retirement is the right word," he said. "The thing that makes it tough is that he looks so well. I think it's time to hang up the glue-on shoes."
Kenly was at O’Neill stable at Del Mar, and spoke frequently on Monday with Wood, who lives in nearby Orange County. Kenly co-owns Lava Man with his father and sister, Dave and Tracy.
Lava Man has lost his last six career races. In Sunday’s Eddie Read, he stalked pacesetter Storm Military to the eighth pole and faded to finish 2 1/2 lengths behind the winner, Monzante. Lava Man has lost three races this year, including the Grade 1 Charles Whittingham Handicap at Hollywood Park on June 7, where he finished third, by a neck.
His most recent win came in the Grade 1 Hollywood Gold Cup in June 2007, his third consecutive win in that race. The victory gave Lava Man a record-equaling third Gold Cup win, joining Native Diver (1965-67) as the only horse to reach that milestone. Lava Man’s other Grade 1 wins were consecutive runnings of the Santa Anita Handicap in 2006-07, the 2006 Pacific Classic, and the 2006 Whittingham.
A California-bred, Lava Man earned $5,268,706 in his 46-race career, which included 17 wins. He earned $5,170,103 after he was claimed.