Lava Man to the Rescue

re: Lava Man to the Rescue

m.braudrick — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 23:50:20 GMT

It is now 10/4/08 and Lava Man did not go to old friends--what happened????He;s still at a farm in santa Ynez and is going to lead the post parade at The Cal Classic tomorrow at oak tree-- So, What's the story???? Have they changed their minds?? Pls. let me know--I adore this horse and felt terrible that i had to travel all the way to kentucky to visit him in the future. Can't he be at a farm like that her in CA. so his fans can see him???

re: Lava Man to the Rescue

T-Mack — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 07:03:44 GMT

Per the notice on Old Friend's web site on 9/12/08, THANK YOU, THANK YOU to STD and Jason!!!

CA fans want to see ALL of Lava Man's team in the Winner's Circle, including the Arterburn Team, who gave us a Champion of Thoroughbreds.

C-Nak, get those glorious black/pink silks ready - and take one last lap around the track for us, will you?

Noe, sabe por favor que usted es Hombre de Lava, Tres Copas de Oro, la mayoría de los amigos preciosos y que ningún número de millas jamás le separará.

Vuela como el viento, Lava Man!

re: Lava Man to the Rescue

JordanA — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 03:05:22 GMT

I meant I was watching every race like it was the last time I'd see him. I personally don't like them taking a retiree on a victory tour around the track then into the winners circle. For some reason it makes me sad. Kind of like the great former sports stars at conventions. Maybe it's just me but I like to remember them in the true atmosphere.

re: Lava Man to the Rescue

Sally F — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 17:42:30 GMT

I agree - there is something sad about our hero, Lava Man, leaving California. He has always been on the top of my list and I will forever miss and love him. I will be checking Old Friends website regularly to follow his life. Maybe someday the Racing Gods will bless me and I will find a way to visit Lava Man, one of the greatest and most beautiful horses ever to race!! Thanks for the memories - Live Long and Be Happy.

re: Lava Man to the Rescue

T-Mack — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 15:09:47 GMT

I was not suggesting he race again, but be brought out on the track to parade and stand in the Circle where he could receive a hero's applause. It would give us all a chance to say "Thank You" and "Happy Trails" to a very special horse.

re: Lava Man to the Rescue

Bryce Be Quick — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 14:10:41 GMT

Karen in Indiana--

If your field trip takes you to Three Chimneys, may I suggest while everyone swarming around BB and Smarty Jones, you turn to your left and look at the guy in the corner stall recently up from Florida, a beautiful g/r who will be attracting better mares in his KY-based book-- Exchange Rate. VERY nice stallion, even if he doesn't rate his own Three Chimneys infomercial during the NTRA-ESPN race coverage broadcasts....

re: Lava Man to the Rescue

JordanA — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 13:05:27 GMT

Every time they nursed him back and ran him we all knew it might be the last time to see him run. NO shame involved, the guys kept him going with their care and love and owed us nothing more than what he gave us.

re: Lava Man to the Rescue

T-Mack — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 01:41:46 GMT

No proper farewell and send -off for Lava Man here in CA? His local fans feel great disappointment that STD and Jason did not give us the chance to say good-bye and see him one last time. The majority of us will never have the opportunity to go thousands of miles to Kentucky. He deserves a final turn on our track and to stand in the Winner's Circle! Shame on you!

re: Lava Man to the Rescue

berttheclock — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 19:32:47 GMT

Yes, Lava Man is a true champion. Interesting, that his dam sire, Nostalgia Star, also began racing in Maiden Claimers, albeit at a higher level - He began racing for 50 thou with Luis Ortega aboard - Ran second twice at Del Mar - I remember yelling at Luis, both times, about how he had done everything possible to run second to Pincay - Looked beautiful on the track. Then, he was shipped to the old Los Alamitos Orange County meet, where he won a $25,000 added. He was quickly sold to Jay Robbins and blossomed into a graded winner. As he was a Pia Star, he loved the mud - So, at SA, when the track came up off, Pat V went to the lead and won a Grade I. Earned well over $3 million, much of that by finishing in the money and someone could have picked him for only 50 grand..

Yes, my eyes did light up the first time I saw Lava Man entered at Santa Anita - Spotted that Nostalgia Star - He reminded me of his grandpa.

re: Lava Man to the Rescue

marc15 — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 16:14:03 GMT

In horse racing it is odd when a horse gets "really better" as time goes on. Yes horses improve at 4 and 5 but usually they have shown a good deal of talent by then or earlier in their careers.

I remember watching John Henry get beat in a claimer (on turf in FL) I think it was for 20K then became "The Legend". Besides Lava Man, Miesque's Approval another fairly recent story, somehow got super good and won the Breeder's Cup after a great year in general after it looked like he was finished 2 years previous to then.

Steve-- any reason's why?

re: Lava Man to the Rescue

Bellwether — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 09:33:12 GMT

well i guess Mike is doing ok...

re: Lava Man to the Rescue

Bryce Be Quick — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 01:29:45 GMT

Something sad about this Cal-bred leaving Cal, as this from a "Right Coaster" who never saw him race in person. Congrats to Michael Blowen for pulling this off, but you had better expand the parking lot, visitors center, and roster of volunteer guides at Old Friends to handle the crowds-- hope you haven't bitten off more than you can chew? Seeing Bonnie's Poker, dam to 1997 KY Derby and Preakness winner Silver Charm at Old Friends last summer a thrill, but if Lava Man destined to leave Cal, maybe the KY Horse Park would have been better equipped to handle a horse the likes of Lava Man?

BTW-- any word as to how The Man's half sister, Lava Girl, foaled in 2007, progressing?

re: Lava Man to the Rescue

russell maiers — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 00:28:10 GMT

Windblown I remember the race you referred to. At first we thought he was hurt, then I remember the jockey saying he thinks he is all right, he just ran his heart out and was totally exhuasted. That was one of the best efforts, and we will never forget that day he gave his all and then more. A true champ! Lava Man

re: Lava Man to the Rescue

Morethanready — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 13:46:58 GMT

This is the story that makes racing- the John Henry, Seabiscuit rags to riches. He comes up well short of those two in terms of taking his act on the road but who cares.

re: Lava Man to the Rescue

Windblown — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 12:24:17 GMT

I am a big fan of Lava Man, I like him because of his desire to winn every race. I remember when he was vanned out of the race tract where he run 2nd like there is no more race tomorrow.

Though I still hoping for him to win outside California, maybe this this time in Old Friends he can beat the other Gr. I (in number of visitors).

re: Lava Man to the Rescue

da3hoss — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 11:50:13 GMT

We love Lava Man all the way over here on the New Hampshire coast...Old Friends will take care of him...I'm glad of that, though I had hoped he could be a stable pony at only age 7...but he will help a LOT of other thoroughbreds with his star-power.

re: Lava Man to the Rescue

schabelli — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 11:44:48 GMT

Great piece on Lava Man. He would have beaten Big Brown into the ground if they had ever met.

re: Lava Man to the Rescue

lecylue — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 02:26:09 GMT

Thank You Steve Kenley for being a man of his word. You said when Lava Man's racing days were over he would live the life fantastic in retirement. He is a champion race horse, not a lead pony. He is a Legend, he deserves to be treated with all the respect he so wonderfully earned. I am doing everything I can to make a trip to Old Friends to meet my hero, and I hope the rest of his life, he will be able to enjoy all the admiration he gets from his fans. We love you Big Guy, we will never forget the history you made on the race track. See you soon.

re: Lava Man to the Rescue

Riverside Fans — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 01:58:42 GMT

Lava Man,

We are so glad this day has come for you!!! We will be on the first flight we can to come visit you in Kentucky!!!!!!!

re: Lava Man to the Rescue

joebird — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 01:36:09 GMT

Words could never express the appreciation I have for Lava Man and what he let us experience. Seeing the thrill of one's daughter reaction to watching LM run, was just one of my biggest thrills. Thank you LM. Thank you Doug O. To the Horster (half horse half monster), to the true true ultimate warrior of racing, and to the LM connections, Thanks for the memories.

re: Lava Man to the Rescue

Mike S — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 00:19:33 GMT

Who doesn't love LAVA MAN? What a great story! What a great horse.

re: Lava Man to the Rescue

Matthew W — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 22:56:50 GMT

Lava Man was a class horse at any level, but when he was right'n'tight he was just a real good racehorse! His first Gold Cup was STRONG! He also ran a real good turf race or three---he could run on any track but just could not take his game on the road----all in all Lava Man was a bonifide star in The West, like Cougar II, Vigors, Best Pal--horses you could bet against but still root for...like John Henry...heres hoping Lava Man holds court in Kentucky for many happy years---ENJOY HIM! He's all class.....

re: Lava Man to the Rescue

Wanda — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 21:50:58 GMT

jessewithajay: His sire is still alive and breeding mares. He has sired some monsters besides "the Man".

re: Lava Man to the Rescue

Linda O. — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 15:38:36 GMT

LOVE YOU Lava Man! I cannot wait to see you this fall. Old Friends is a wonderful place for you to retire. I know Michael Blowen will take great care of you!

re: Lava Man to the Rescue

jessewithajay — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 14:08:56 GMT

What age was lava man gelded at, and why was he gelded. What factors determine whether a colt is gelded or not? Just curious, because in my opinion he could have made a decent stallion. I believe he had some of the rare qualities that one seeks in a horse coming from his grandsire. It is sad that all you can get is A P Indys now.