Lava Man is last at Del Mar

DEL MAR – Monzante beat Whatsthescript by half a length in the $400,000 Eddie Read Handicap at Del Mar on Sunday.

Ridden by Rafael Bejarano, Monzante was last in the early stages but was steered to the outside entering the stretch and ran past his five rivals, covering 1 1/8 miles in 1:46.53.

“I know what kind of kick this horse has and I was ready with it,” Bejarano said. “We went wide, but that was no problem.”

Lava Man, trying to regain the form that earned $5.2 million with several big wins, including the Pacific Classic at Del Mar in 2006, ran sixth and last after pressing the pace of Storm Military into the stretch.

Monzante paid $8, $3.40 and $2.60. Whatsthescript paid $3 and $2.60. Storm Military paid $3.60 to show.

It was the fourth victory in 13 lifetime starts for Monzante, a 4-year-old gelding trained by Mike Mitchell for Scott Anastasi of Hermosa Beach and Jay and Gretchen Manoogian of Irvine. He earned $240,000, boosting his bankroll to $449,570.

Also at Del Mar, Lethal Heat, ridden by Bejarano, prevailed over North Rodeo in the $100,000 Fleet Treat Stakes at seven furlongs.

Lethal Heat paid $6.80, $4 and $2.80. North Rodeo paid $8 and $5.40, and Quisisana paid $4.80 to show. The win was worth $65,160 for Lethal Heat.