Muche's Equine Action Photos

Thoroughbred Racing:
Lava Man

~Images Available for Private and Commercial Sales and Licensing~
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Lava Man was one of California’s most popular racehorses. A record of 17 wins, 8 seconds and 5 thirds in 47 starts earned him $5,268,706, a figure which places him third among California breds. Only Tiznow, the 2000 Horse of the Year, and Best Pal ahead of him. $5,180,678 of that total came after being claimed for $50,000 at Del Mar in 2004 by Doug O’Neill, who claimed and trained Lava Man for Jason Wood and the STD Racing Stable of Steve, Dave, and Tracy Kenly.. Lava Man is the only horse to win the Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I), Hollywood Gold Cup (gr. I) and Pacific Classic (gr. I) in the same year. His seven grade I wins came on dirt, turf and synthetic surfaces and his winning of three consecutive Gold Cups in 2005 through 2007 matched Native Diver’s record. Lava Man also won his second Santa Anita Handicap in 2007. He was retired after veterinarians at Alamo Pintado Medical Center in Los Olivos, California, found significant damage in the seven-year-old gelding’s front ankles. A short time after his retirement Dr. Doug Herthel, founder of Alamo Pintado Equine Medical Hospital, approached Lava Man’s owners about him participating in a stem-cell therapy project. which involved drawing cells from his sternum and injecting them into his ankles. It was hoped that any improvement in the joints would mean an improved life for Lava Man. The treatment worked well and the monthly procedure allowed Lava Man to regenerate cartilage in his ankles. His bone strength tests were excellent and healing was nearly complete. Part of the study was for him to return to some training. and he began light exercise at Magali Farms in Santa Ynez. Also Lava Man's spirits were improved by the return to training after months of relative inactivity. As time passed he began to show more of his old form and the decision was made to return to the races. This would be the ultimate test of the procedure. After an official 3 furlong workout in 36 seconds flat at Hollywood Park On September 23, 2009 it was announced by trainer Doug O'Neill that Lava Man was back in training and preparing for a comeback. The proviso being if and only if he could compete at a Grade 1 level. His first and only comeback start was in the San Gabriel Handicap (Gr. IIT) at Santa Anita Park on December 27, 2010, where he finished last. He came out of the race sound but on January 5, 2010 Lava Man was retired for good. He is now Doug O'Neill’s stable pony and he’s carrying a Western saddle instead of a regular exercise saddle and a hackamore instead of a bit and bridle. Lava Man is very mellow chaperoning horses to the track and seems to be enjoying his new career.

Stakes Record

Year 2004 - Starts 8 - 1st 1 - 2nd 0 - 3rd 0 Stakes Earnings $60,000.00 - Win % 100% In-The-Money % 100%	Year 2005 - Starts 8 - 1st 3 - 2nd 0 - 3rd 1 Stakes Earnings $774,103.00 - Win % 37% In-The-Money % 50%	Year 2006 - Starts 8 - 1st 7 - 2nd 0 - 3rd 0 Stakes Earnings $2,770,000.00 - Win % 87% In-The-Money % 87%
Year 2007 - Starts 8 - 1st 3 - 2nd 1 - 3rd 0 Stakes Earnings $1,410,000.00 - Win % 37% In-The-Money % 50%	Year 2008 - Starts 6 - 1st 0 - 2nd 0 - 3rd 4 Stakes Earnings $254,603.00 - Win % 0% In-The-Money % 66%	Year 2009 - Starts 1 - 1st 0 - 2nd 0 - 3rd 0 Stakes Earnings $0.00 - Win % 0% In-The-Money % 0%

Racing Summary: Starts 47, Firsts 17, Seconds 8, Thirds 5, Earnings $ 5,268,706

Major wins: Californian Stakes (2005), Hollywood Gold Cup (2005, 2006, 2007), Sunshine Millions Classic (2006), Santa Anita Handicap (2006, 2007), Khaled Stakes (2006), Charles Whittingham Memorial Handicap (2006), Pacific Classic Stakes (2006), Goodwood Breeders' Cup Handicap (2006), Sunshine Millions Turf (2007)

Honours: California Bred Champion Older Horse (2005, 2006), California Horse of the Year (2005, 2006), California Bred Champion Turf Horse (2006), California Bred Champion Older Horse (2007)

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Date 9/13/04 - Purse $60.000 - Race Name Derby Trial Stakes - Track Fairplex Park - Grade - Finish 1st	Date 10/16/04 - Purse $250.000 - Race Name California Cup Classic - Track Oak Tree At Santa Anita - Grade - Finish 1st
Date 10/07/06 - Purse $500.000 - Race Name Goodwood Breeders' Cup Handicap - Track Oak Tree At Santa Anita - Grade 2 - Finish 1st
Date 1/27/07 - Purse $500.000 - Race Name Sunshine Millions Turf Stakes - Track Santa Anita - Grade - Finish 1st
Date 3/3/07 - Purse $1,000.000 - Race Name Santa Anita Handicap - Track Santa Anita - Grade 1 - Finish 1st

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Jim & Lani Muche muche@earthlink.net