Official Defends Lava Man’s Trainer

California Horse Racing Board Chairman Richard B. Shapiro issued a statement Wednesday defending the trainer of Pacific Classic winner Lava Man and Del Mar racetrack officials after comments by another trainer questioning the fairness of the race.

Murray Johnson, trainer of fourth-place finisher Perfect Drift, apologized Monday for his comments after Sunday’s race that questioned the grading of the track the night before the race and whether Lava Man, trained by Doug O’Neill, had a high bicarbonate level.

Shapiro’s statement defended O’Neill, who was penalized this summer after another horse he trains exceeded the permitted level for total carbon dioxide.

“In the Pacific Classic, all eight horses were tested for total carbon dioxide, or bicarbonate levels, and all eight tested below 35 millimoles -- well within the legal limit,” Shapiro said. “Of the eight, the horse testing with the lowest level was Lava Man.”

Shapiro also said track officials “did nothing out of the ordinary” in preparing the track for the Pacific Classic.

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-- Robyn Norwood