Breeders Cup Chat : Lava Man

Curlin Retirement Leaves a Huge Void For 2009

jshandler — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 22:06:00 GMT

The announcement earlier this week that Curlin would not race in 2009 was not a surprise, but the reality of it made me come to one disappointing realization:

Other than Zenyatta, there really aren't many top-tier older horses I am looking forward to watching next year.

With Big Brown and Curlin now out of the mix, we now have the two most popular, and arguably, the two best North American-based dirt horses retired. And that's just the beginning of it.

Some of the notable older horses who have either already been retired or will likely be retired after 2008 are Student Council, Ginger Punch, Hystericalady, Benny the Bull, Midnight Lute, Red Rocks, Evening Attire, Zanjero, Perfect Drift, Lava Man, Red Giant, Tough Tiz's Sis, Zaftig, Alwajeeha, Sealy Hill, Lewis Michael, Dreaming of Anna, Mauralakana, Heatseeker, as well as European stars Zarkava, Raven's Pass and Henrythenavigator. There is also probably a decent chance that Commentator and/or Kip Deville will be gone after their final races this year.

Kind of depressing, isn't it?

At least we have the top 3-year-olds to look forward to. Well, some of them anyway. That's because two of the top Kentucky Derby hopefuls, Vineyard Haven and Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner Midshipman will winter in Dubai for Sheikh Mohammed, as well as BC Juvenile Turf winner Donativum likely going to England for Princess Haya.

Again, thank our lucky stars for Zenyatta.

Before I paint too bleak of a picture, there are still some exciting horses that should return in 2009, most of them females - Ventura, Cocoa Beach, Music Note, Proud Spell, Forever Together and Indian Blessing (Baffert's long range goal for her is the Dubai World Cup Sprint) to name a few. And, of course, there is Stardom Bound, who should only get better as a 3-year-old.

As far as the males, 3-year-olds like Colonel John, Mambo in Seattle and Denis of Cork should improve, and sprinter Fatal Bullet looks like he'll be a force. Perhaps the one older horse I am looking forward to seeing more than any other is BC Dirt Mile winner Albertus Maximus, who is set up for a big 5-year-old campaign.

l should also point out that this year is not unlike any other. The reality of horse racing today is that this is time of year when horses retire. It's the nature of the sport and we have to accept it. It's time for the new stars to make their mark.

However, it doesn't take away from the fact that the departure of Curlin, Big Brown and many of our other favorites leaves a huge void for 2009.

Q & A With Lava Man Trainer Doug O'Neill

jshandler — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 22:21:00 GMT

On Wednesday it was announced that one of the nation's favorite horses, Lava Man, would be retired due to ankle problems, which were discovered shortly after he finished sixth in the July 20 Eddie Read Handicap at Del Mar.

The 7-year-old Slew City Slew gelding was 17-8-5 from 46 starts and earned $5,268,706 in his remarkable career. He is best known for winning a record-tying three consecutive Hollywood Gold Cups, a mark he shares only with Native Diver. Lava Man also collected two Santa Anita Handicaps, and seven grade I events overall. He won seven consecutive California stakes in 2006. Third all-time for earnings by a California-bred, he won more than $5 million after being claimed by STD Racing and Jason Wood in August of 2004, shattering the record for most money earned after being claimed.

One day after the retirement was announced I caught up with his trainer Doug O'Neill for a short question and answer session.

JS: Did you kind of suspect that something was wrong after the Eddie Read Handicap?

DO: Not at all. He had been training so good coming into that race, so I knew he was fit. He just didn't have it after six furlongs. We were disappointed with the results, but he came out of the race fine. It was a head-scratcher, which led us to more diagnostic testing. The radiographs showed that his ankles were still sound, but there were noticeable changes going on. That is always a concern, so we knew we had to do right by him and retire him.

JS: What were the emotions of yourself and his owners after you made the decision?

DO: It was mixed. We realized how grateful we were to be involved with a seven-time grade I winner and a true champion. We were also happy to be retiring a sound horse. At the same time there is definitely some sadness. We'll miss not being able to talk about his next race and that buzz that came on race days.

JS: What kind of fan reaction have you gotten so far?

DO: Most fans that have approached me are happy that we did right by him. They will also miss him racing, but seeing him retire soundly is more important.

JS: What are the plans for him in retirement?

DO: The tentative plan is for him to go to the farm for six months. I'm not sure which farm yet, but wherever he goes he'll just chill out for a while. After that, I would like to re-break him and have him as a stable pony around the barn. That would be unbelievable. To have him as a chaperon for these younger horses and pass on what he has learned would be such a great benefit.

JS: A few fans have asked about Lava Man's temperament. How would you describe him?

DO: He definitely had a lot of energy. Not in a hurtful way, but he let you know he was there. He was always the first one up in the morning. The night watch people could write a book on what he did between the hours of 2 and 5 a.m. He was very active in his stall and just an overall eager horse. He always wanted to be the first to the track. He also did a lot of posing, kind of like he knew the cameras were there.

JS: He was obviously talented, but what were some of the characteristics that made Lava Man so good?

DO: He thrived on the pressures of big races. He knew when they mattered. From an ability standpoint, he had so much natural speed and stamina. He had a very unique style in that he could run you into the ground early and you couldn't catch him late. The other thing is that he was very sound. It is so important to have that consistency.

JS: Lava Man did not start getting very good until he was 4. Looking back, when did you first notice him turning a corner?

DO: It's been so long ago, but I seem to remember when I put blinkers on him that really helped. Also, I dropped him into that $100,000 claimer (May 14, 2005) and that really seemed to get him going. He gained a lot of confidence after that.

JS: There have been so many great moments and memories. What stands out most for you?

DO: Well, being able to recover so quickly after the Japan race was remarkable. He battled foot problems after he came back here and most horses would have needed months back at the farm to recover. With the help of the shoer and the groom, he came back in 60 or 70 days (to win the Sunshine Millions Classic). That was just unbelievable. Also, the three Gold Cup wins are definitely a highlight. To win just one of those would be special, but three was unreal.

JS: Part of what makes the Lava Man story so special is because he was claimed. What do you recall about that?

DO: That was all Steve (Kenly, co-owner). He deserves the credit there. In fact, I told him he was crazy at the time (laughs). He said I don't care what you say, as long as he looks good in the paddock, I want him. I was allowed to spend $62,500, but we got him for $50,000.

JS: The former owners (Lonnie Arterburn, and Eve and Kim Kuhlmann) could have become bitter over losing a horse that has earned so much, but have always handled the situation so well. That must have made the situation easier for you.

DO: They are such classy people. What also helped is that they bred him, so they gained many breeding awards and other notoriety, and they still had an interest in his success. They were proud every time he won because they broke him and developed him. They deserve much of the credit.

JS: You have had some great horses in your career. Is Lava Man the best, both in terms of desire and talent?

DO: He is certainly the best desire-wise. He is truly a remarkable horse and his consistency is what separates him. Talent-wise, I'm not sure. That's hard. But he is definitely up there. We all feel very fortunate to be a part of him.

At Age 10, Evening Attire Still Going Strong

jshandler — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 17:59:00 GMT

There are two Breeders' Cup Challenge "Win and You're In" races this week - the San Diego Handicap for 3-year-olds and up on the Del Mar's main track, and the Greenwood Cup for older horses going a mile and half at Philadelphia Park.

Before breaking down these races from a handicapping standpoint, it is worth noting that a true iron horse of the sport will be going in the Greenwood Cup - Evening Attire. The 10-year-old gelding will make his 69^th career start and seek his 11^th stakes victory. Incredible.

The cool part about this story is that five years after his last appearance at the Breeders' Cup, Evening Attire has a chance to get back to Santa Anita for another appearance - a half-decade later! It was in 2003 that the son of Black Tie Affair last ran in the Breeders' Cup, as he finished seventh in the Classic at Santa Anita. How special would it be if the old man won the Greenwood Cup to earn a berth in the Breeders' Cup Marathon?

When I talked to Patrick Kelly on Wednesday, the trainer said he wasn't concerning himself with the Breeders' Cup and at this point is Evening Attire's career, he takes one day at a time. But if he wins and stays healthy, you would have to believe that they would ship him to California in October. What a great story that would be. As we talked about in the previous blog, our sport needs more old timers like this. These are the kinds of horses that people love to come out and see. And with all the bad publicity that the Breeders' Cup is getting for various reasons, Evening Attire's presence would give it a much needed boost.

Here's hoping Evening Attire, Surf Cat, Lava Man, Red Rocks and some other racing veterans find their way to California in October.

And now to the races...

Greenwood Cup

I give Evening Attire a decent chance to win this race. There are only six entered and it's not a particularly strong field. I am immediately tossing Phil the Power, Solemn Promise and Bureaucratic. That leaves me with the "old man," Barcola and Three in a Bag.

Evening Attire has been very competitive in his last two, including a nice runner-up performance in the Brooklyn Handicap last month where he earned a 105 Beyer. Kelly said he is training very well, but is concerned about the heat. It is supposed to be very hot in Philadelphia this weekend and he said Evening Attire, who will be shipping in race day, doesn't do well in extreme temperatures. From a racing standpoint, he beat Barcola in December in the Queen's County Handicap, so he fits very well here.

Barcola was third to Curlin in the Stephen Foster last month and won the Brandywine at Delaware in May. He should be on the lead and might be tough to catch, even at 12 furlongs. Three in the Bag is the scary horse in here. He has won his last two by a combined 24 lengths, both in optional claiming events.

The Pick: Barcola is 7-5 on the morning line and will probably be even money by post time. He'll be tough to beat, but I can't in good conscience take him at those odds. You know where my heart will be, but I'm going to pass on Evening Attire and go for the horse that is in the best form - Three in the Bag. A 6-year-old gelding, he has two resounding wins at Philly this year, and although he hasn't tried stakes company since 2005 he is ready for this step. His trainer (Tony Dutrow) knows how to win at this track and he should offer the best value.

San Diego Handicap

Looks to me like it's between Surf Cat, Rebellion, Well Armed, and if you want to take a shot, perhaps Global Hunter for a berth in the BC Dirt Mile.

At age 6, Surf Cat is still very good. He has a pair of grade II wins this year, and has been off the board just once in 12 starts dating back to 2005. He's always sharp. Rebellion is also in fine form, winning both the Commonwealth and Ack Ack since April. And he gets Bejarano. He should be flying from off the pace. Well Armed makes his first start since returning from Dubai, where he was a well-beaten third in the World Cup. He has been working nicely at Del Mar.

The Pick: Tough to choose here, especially because at the time of this writing the morning-line odds have not yet been posted. It might be one of those where I wait 15 minutes until post to see the odds, but for now I will go with Well Armed. Normally, I don't like betting horses in their first start back from Dubai, but based on his works the 5-year-old gelding is obviously sharp. There isn't a ton of early speed in here, so he should be able to get the lead and go. He's got two wins on synthetics and the distance should be fine for him. Plus, he beat Heatseeker twice this year. That's telling, given the fact that Heatseeker handled Surf Cat easily last out.

Your thoughts?