Barbaro (the Champ)

Originally Posted by TitanSooner

I actually haven't settled on the fact that he's a fluke.. I hope he runs big in Kentucky.. If he doesn't, I still won't knock what he's accomplished this year. Has he run against stellar fields? probably not, but the same statement many have made for Bernardini can apply to Lava Man.. that he only runs in the best races and it's not his fault who, or who doesn't, enter against him.. Is he as good as Bernardini? I'm realistic.. I'm just tired of the "Once he ships out of CA into real racing, he gets his head handed to him." Can he ship? hasn't proven it yet but I hope he does. I do think he's a different animal than last year, and to call him a fluke after what he's done this year in the best races carded on the circuit and on different surfaces is just plain silly.

sincerely yours,
Homer

The difference in Lava Man and the Midwest and East Coast contingent is at least the majority of the top horses this side of the country have traveled outside of their area and faced different competition.

Not giving Lava Man a prep at Belmont or Keeneland is going to backfire. Running him in the Hirsch is avoiding all challengers that matter. The horse might not be a fluke, but his connections sure are acting like he is.

I want the horse to compete with the best. What's left in California?