Barbaro (the Champ)

[somerfrost]

Originally Posted by Pillow Pants

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?

Putting him in a turf race makes perfect sense...the oldest angle in the sport (that actually works) is turf to dirt! This will set him up perfectly for the BCC, winning a dirt race against any competition as a prep would be meaningless...the BCC win has to be the objective if they want HOY!