Lava Man

[Scurlogue Champ]

Originally Posted by ELA

I'll let others argue about Lava Man, however, that was an excellent ride by Richie Migliore. I've always said, he is one of the -- if not the -- best strategists on the track -- any track. A true student of the game.

Congratulations to Richie -- well deserved and a great guy.

Eric

The only strategy applied here was "hey, let's take a sub-par east coast allowance horse and win a Grade One in California." I look for that strategy to repeat itself many times over in the next couple of years.

[ELA]

Originally Posted by Scurlogue Champ

The only strategy applied here was "hey, let's take a sub-par east coast allowance horse and win a Grade One in California." I look for that strategy to repeat itself many times over in the next couple of years.

Whatever negativity and gripes everyone has about the track, poly, quality of horses -- everyone can agree on that. Sub-par or not, he had to ride the race. I am sure the pools were open outside of CA. The track was the track for everyone in, and the entry box was open. The race itself -- it was what it was and he still had to ride the race. I don't hear anyone talking about this horse being a layover and Mig having to point him the right direction. But I am sure innumerable people played him and made a score.

Like it or not, the jock rode an excellent race. His ride was well executed.

Eric

[Ogygian]

He doesn't ship well...now he doesn't like the poly...if you are the BEST horse these excuses shouldn't come into play. He is a great California dirt horse...lets tear up the poly so LavaMan can win a race. 2:07..I mean come on..even the greats have bad days!!!

[31lengths]

Originally Posted by Scurlogue Champ

The only strategy applied here was "hey, let's take a sub-par east coast allowance horse and win a Grade One in California." I look for that strategy to repeat itself many times over in the next couple of years.

good point. now watch the beat.

[onebadbeast]

Yadda Yadda Yadda, Stevo Gave It Out, I Bet It, He Is The Master, Hands Down. I Have Never Seen A Handicapper Like This Wizard.
The Dude Abides!

[Ronnie]

Originally Posted by Scurlogue Champ

The only strategy applied here was "hey, let's take a sub-par east coast allowance horse and win a Grade One in California." I look for that strategy to repeat itself many times over in the next couple of years.

I think we've seen again and again that sub-par East Coast horses can beat the best West Coast horses, especially out of CA.

[TitanSooner]

obnoxious.. and Kimmeastar hasn't even made a post yet

[letswastemoney]

Bring out The Green Monkey to CA. They'll get their easy G1 and it's off the stud! lol

[TitanSooner]

bunch of numb nuts

[Riot]

I didn't see any public handicapper that rated Lava Man higher than third place, at best.

[King Glorious]

Originally Posted by Riot

I didn't see any public handicapper that rated Lava Man higher than third place, at best.

There is this little local paper, The Daily Racing Form, and three of their four Del Mar handicappers had him picked second. He was the consensus selection to win.

[Indian Charlie]

Originally Posted by TitanSooner

bunch of numb nuts

if you call two of them 'a bunch', you pretty much described mine.

[Left Bank]

Originally Posted by TitanSooner

obnoxious.. and Kimmeastar hasn't even made a post yet

I've read them,and.............. I will stay quiet! I'll let you guys do the talking.

Lava Man should be pointed tactically toward Grade 1 and Grade 2 turf races in California - avoiding After Market. These artificial surfaces don't serve him well. Think of his last 4 starts on Turf in Southern Cal:

1) Wins Khaled in course record time
2) Wins the Whittingham going away
3) Wins the Sunshine Millions Turf easily
4) Finishes second to After Market in a 1:59 going 1 1/4 while clearly ahead of the third place horse.

Turf is where his future lies.

[King Glorious]

Originally Posted by FairPlay

Lava Man should be pointed tactically toward Grade 1 and Grade 2 turf races in California - avoiding After Market. These artificial surfaces don't serve him well. Think of his last 4 starts on Turf in Southern Cal:

1) Wins Khaled in course record time
2) Wins the Whittingham going away
3) Wins the Sunshine Millions Turf easily
4) Finishes second to After Market in a 1:59 going 1 1/4 while clearly ahead of the third place horse.

Turf is where his future lies.

According to his trainer at the start of the year, turf was going to be his primary surface this year. I was looking forward to it as I have felt that he runs better on the grass. I guess they just looked at the slim pickings in the California older male division on dirt and couldn't resist. It's kind of hard to blame them though when they've been able to win the another SA Hcp and another Hollywood Gold Cup in the process. I think that because of that, they had to take a shot in the Pacific Classic. But it's got to be turf from here on out. I think he could even handle up to 12f on the grass.

[Riot]

Turf is where his future lies.

I think the Del Mar poly to turf is going to be an extremely strong angle on this horse next time he runs in CA.