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[Left Bank]

Originally Posted by miraja2

But regardless of what you think of Brother Derek's ability, the differing results when the two squared off is one indicator (one of MANY I might add) that Lava Man really does run better races in SoCal than he does when he leaves SoCal.
My larger point is this: It does not makes sense to me to refer to a horse that has won 12 stakes races (including 6 G1s) as just a "claiming horse." If he is a claiming horse, than how would you describe the horses actually running in the claiming races in SoCal? Or what about the ones in NoCal, or any other track that is a step down from the SoCal tracks?
He is a horse that can be pretty good in the right conditions. When his connections foolishly take him away from those conditions, he is very ineffective. That doesn't make him a bad horse.....just one with very specific limitations.

Because those Stakes races were filled with sub par horses,as are most SoCal races.I don't care if they were graded,name some horses from ANY of those races that have gone on to do ANYTHING.I AGREE he runs way better in SoCal,and it is because there is no competition there for him.Brother Derek,Giacomo?Super Frolic,Good Reward,Ace Blue?What a bunch of Garbage.What have ANY of these horses gone on to do?In his last race he beat a six year old who just passed the N2X level.WOW Impressive.
I have said before,my opinion of SoCal racing is extremely low,and it is my opinion and I stand by it.To me it is all bottom of the barrel racing out there.But like I said,I would love to own him.Against all that crap out there,his races are virtual walkovers.