Lava Man back in training?

[The Indomitable DrugS]

I think people might forget he was beaten a neck and just 3.5 lengths with a questionable ride in the final two starts of his career - both at the Grade 1 level.

He's had major peaks and valleys in his form before. He ran Beyers between 101-to-107 in four out of five races to end his 3yo season .. including a half length defeat in the Grade 1 Malibu.

Just 4.5 months and 3 very bad races later .. he was back in for a tag and went unclaimed at almost 7/1 odds.

All 5 times he left the state of California he performed miserably. By far and away his best effort in those 5 tries outside of the state was when he gallently was beaten 16 lengths in the BC Classic - and finished only a mere 11.25 lengths behind Giacomo that day.

I can see the arguements for both sides why he should and shouldn't come back.

Even though his best surface has been eliminated - what carries the day for me is that he's not coming back into strength. Richard's Kid just won the Pac Classic - the Cal bred divisions aren't loaded with talent - the turf handicap division out there is hardly stellar. I don't blame them at all for bringing him back ... and I'm sure they'll keep him on a short leash ... one very bad work or one bad race would be enough.

[Merlinsky]

Originally Posted by The Indomitable DrugS

Even though his best surface has been eliminated - what carries the day for me is that he's not coming back into strength. Richard's Kid just won the Pac Classic - the Cal bred divisions aren't loaded with talent - the turf handicap division out there is hardly stellar. I don't blame them at all for bringing him back ... and I'm sure they'll keep him on a short leash ... one very bad work or one bad race would be enough.

One very bad work or bad race might be the only thing it takes before no more Lava Man. It seemed when they retired him that they'd dodged a bullet. Was anybody here going 'oh I wish they'd bring Lava Man back' ? I just never heard a peep from anyone. There was no 'what more could he have done.'

I felt they used Old Friends poorly. Maybe it's just me, but I don't think you get everybody excited about him coming and then he wakes up one morning and gets Stem Cell Wheaties in his breakfast. If the folks at OF are thrilled, I'd like to know about it.

Plonk's article referenced a few horses, but one that occurred to me was Black Gold.