Change of Plans for Lava Man

[Pedigree Ann]

Originally Posted by SCUDSBROTHER

It's a big mistake to run him within 6 weeks of the Breeder's Cup.This horse will do best with atleast 6 weeks rest before a huge race like this.Do you remember when he almost got beat at Hollywood? That's the way he will look if he doesn't have enough time between races.

Did you even watch the Hollywood Gold Cup? Lava Dude stumbled out of the gate and spotted the field several lengths, had to run from behind horses, something he doesn't like to do. Despite all that, he still managed to get up and win, conceding chunks of weight to the others.

When he was a 'cheap' horse, Lava Man had no problem with running decent races two or even one week apart (2 stakes races at Pomona in 2004 - won one, third in the other).

Here's Doug prepping Lava Man for the Goodwood

[Danzig]

i wasn't so worried about the tin man in the hirsch, i read the other day that english channel was headed there as well.

lava man is a better horse this year than last, his record this year speaks for itself.
there will be a full field (apparently) in the classic, so all but one of those good horses will lose--and 11 will miss the board. WOW i have tons of respect for those who go out on a limb to pick 1 of the 13 losers, rather than the one winner.

Originally Posted by Pillow Pants

Here's Doug prepping Lava Man for the Goodwood

Thats the Big Buckin Chicken!

The Tin Man is a better horse NOW. He has aged like a fine wine. Still tough against the Euros, but he will again dictate some pace and be a player in determining the outcome.

[Danzig]

welll, if it isn't my favorite science teacher....good morning!

i would love to see the tin man win....an older horse in the mold of john henry--only maybe not as nasty! and affirmed would have a bc winner. that would be sweet.

[Rupert Pupkin]

Originally Posted by Pillow Pants

Here's Doug prepping Lava Man for the Goodwood

He's not being chicken at all. He's planning on running the horse in the toughest race there is. He's planning on running him in the $5 million BC Classic. If he were chicken, he wouldn't be running him in there. Not only that, they are going to supplement him. If they were chicken in the least bit, they could use the fact that he's not nominated to the BC as an excuse not to run him.

The next race is only a prep race. The race is irrelevant compared to the Classic. The purse of the Goodwood is $400,000. The $5 million race is just a tiny bit more important than a $400,000 race. The purpose of the prep race for Lava Man is to prepare him for the Classic. O'Neil is going to choose the prep that gives LM the best chance to win the Classic. He obviously doen't want to have a really tough prep race. Even if he knew for sure that he would beat TheTin Man, he still would not want to run against him because you don't want your horse to have to fully exert himself in he prep race. LM has already had a hard campaign this year.

[Scav]

Originally Posted by Rupert Pupkin

He's not being chicken at all. He's planning on running the horse in the toughest race there is. He's planning on running him in the $5 million BC Classic. If he were chicken, he wouldn't be running him in there. Not only that, they are going to supplement him. If they were chicken in the least bit, they could use the fact that he's not nominated to the BC as an excuse not to run him.

The next race is only a prep race. The race is irrelevant compared to the Classic. The purse of the Goodwood is $400,000. The $5 million race is just a tiny bit more important than a $400,000 race. The purpose of the prep race for Lava Man is to prepare him for the Classic. O'Neil is going to choose the prep that gives LM the best chance to win the Classic. He obviously doen't want to have a really tough prep race. Even if he knew for sure that he would beat TheTin Man, he still would not want to run against him because you don't want your horse to have to fully exert himself in he prep race. LM has already had a hard campaign this year.

Why didn't they supplement him earlier in the year when it was cheaper, with that new rule that was instated? or did the supplement him already?

[Rupert Pupkin]

Originally Posted by Scav

Why didn't they supplement him earlier in the year when it was cheaper, with that new rule that was instated? or did the supplement him already?

With the new rule, I don't think the price is any cheaper earlier in the year. As far as I know, it's a one-time fee of $150,000 and that makes the horse eligible for life. With Lava Man, I don't know whether they paid the money yet or not.

[Scav]

well if that is the case, they will probably do it last minute to make sure he didn't get hurt, that is the only logical reason

[Rupert Pupkin]

Originally Posted by Scav

well if that is the case, they will probably do it last minute to make sure he didn't get hurt, that is the only logical reason

Yes, exactly.