Lava Man’s Victory Rates Fast Company

Although Lava Man still has a long way to go to match the accomplishments of another gelding who had humble beginnings, the comparison jockey Corey Nakatani made after the $300,000 Charles Whittingham Memorial Handicap was valid.

“He reminds me of a horse like John Henry,” said Nakatani, referring to one of the most popular and versatile horses ever to race, one who earned more than $6.5 million after being purchased for $25,000 by owners Sam and Dorothy Rubin. “Lava Man has won on turf and dirt. He can do it all.”

Lava Man, who began his career by taking fourth in a $12,500 maiden claimer at Stockton in 2003, is a Grade I stakes winner on grass and dirt after his wire-to-wire win as the 9-10 favorite in the Whittingham on Saturday at Hollywood Park.

Claimed by his current connections -- Steve, Tracy and Dave Kenly’s STD Stable and Jason Wood -- for $50,000 nearly two years ago, Lava Man is approaching $2.5 million in earnings after his two-length win over 3-1 second choice King’s Drama and seven others.

The California-bred is unbeaten in four races for trainer Doug O’Neill in 2006. Before the Whittingham, Lava Man had won the Sunshine Millions Classic and the Santa Anita Handicap on dirt in Arcadia and the Khaled in course-record time when he was reintroduced to the turf on April 30.

Next is a chance to defend his title in the $750,000 Hollywood Gold Cup, which he won by nearly nine lengths last July 9. No horse has won the track’s signature race in consecutive years since Native Diver won three in a row from 1965 to ’67.

Able to get away with softer fractions than expected, including a 49.91 half-mile and 1:14.77 for six furlongs, Lava Man repelled a bid from King’s Drama on the turn and went on to win in 2:00.29 over 1 1/4 miles. It was his seventh win in 10 starts since blinkers were added May 14, 2005.

“I think if somebody had tried to run with him early, they would have got beat,” said Nakatani.

“I thought he was going to be double tough either way. I have so much confidence in him. It’s such a pleasure to ride him.”

O’Neill says Lava Man is better now than he was heading into the Gold Cup last year.

“We’ve been able to keep him fresh legged, and he’s been bouncing out of these races very well, so we’re hoping he continues to do that,” O’Neill said. “I think he is better than ever.”

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Later in the card, Lucky J.H., the 5-2 second choice, outfinished favorite Captain Squire to win the $100,000 Ack Ack Handicap.

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Horses trained by O’Neill will be running out of a detention barn for a period of 30 days, beginning with Wednesday’s races at Hollywood Park, after one of his horses exceeded the permitted level for total carbon dioxide. Wisdom Cat, who finished last at 48-1 in a race on May 27, was above the permitted level, according to a blood sample obtained before the race and analyzed afterward at UC Davis.

In addition, O’Neill’s stable will be subject to special surveillance for 15 days after detention.

“I’m not happy about it at all,” O’Neill said. “I look forward to kicking some butt from the quarantine barn.”

The trainer added: “This just shows it can happen to anybody, any horse. But, I respect the rules.”

O’Neill then noted that the California Horse Racing Board was “just trying to do what’s best for the sport and the horses.”