Lava Man back; will his old form return as well?

Trainer Doug O’Neill is both excited and nervous about the comeback of Lava Man in the $150,000 Khaled Stakes on Sunday at Hollywood Park.

Those feelings are almost certainly shared by the vast legion of fans the gelding has thrilled during a remarkable run of success that began after he was claimed for $50,000 in the summer of 2004.

A winner of 14 of 30 races since being taken by O’Neill for owners Jason Wood and Steve, Tracy and Dave Kenly’s STD Racing, Lava Man has trained well for his first start in almost six months.

The 7-year-old’s energy and enthusiasm have O’Neill optimistic about how he will perform in the Khaled, a 1 1/8 -mile turf race that is part of the annual $1.3-million Gold Rush program for California-breds.

What has the trainer nervous is whether Lava Man will return like the star he has been or the gelding who was sour in his final three starts of 2007. The son of Slew City Slew finished sixth as the favorite in the Pacific Classic at Del Mar, the Oak Tree Mile and, most recently, in the California Cup Classic on Nov. 3 at Santa Anita.

“He’s doing fantastic, really well,” said O’Neill. “We’re excited to get him back. He’s showing more spirit and more energy, things that were kind of lacking in his last few starts.

“Our night watchman has had to tie him up a few times in the middle of the night because he’s been rearing up and kicking in his stall. He gets real playful.

“He’s been working in hand by himself. We haven’t really shoved on him real hard. We’re looking at this race as something to build on, but feel he’s ready to win.”

What O’Neill hopes to build toward is the $750,000 Hollywood Gold Cup, which will be run for the 69th time on June 28.

Lava Man has won the track’s signature race three years in a row, matching the accomplishment of Native Diver (1965-67). Whether Lava Man can win the Gold Cup again to stand alone remains to be seen.

“That is the dream plan,” said O’Neill. “But after this race, we have no specific schedule.”

Of course, there is also the possibility that Lava Man will never return to peak form. “If myself, Jason and the Kenlys saw any type of deterioration in his will and effort, it wouldn’t take us long to do the right thing,” said O’Neill, meaning retirement.

“But, he still seems to enjoy what he is doing.”

There is also a sense that Lava Man has been rejuvenated by the return of Noe Garcia, his regular groom. Garcia, 40, returned to the stable some two months ago after being fitted with a prosthetic left arm. Last July 23, Garcia’s van was hit by a drunk driver. He lost the arm just below the shoulder in the accident and went through months of rehabilitation.

“There is definitely an animal-human connection,” said O’Neill. “Having Noe back rubbing on him every day is huge.”

Lava Man, who will be ridden by regular jockey Corey Nakatani, will have five opponents Sunday and carry co-high weight of 124 pounds. Celtic Dreamin, who won the Crystal Water Handicap on March 16 at Santa Anita in his turf debut, was also assigned 124. Mr. Wolverine, Epic Power, Dawn’s Early Sky and Top This And That are also scheduled to run.

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The richest of the Gold Rush races is the $250,000 Snow Chief, a 1 1/8 -mile race for 3-year-olds. Named in honor of the champion 3-year-old of 1986, the Snow Chief drew 13 entrants.

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Applications for tickets to the 2008 Breeders’ Cup, Oct. 24-25 at Santa Anita, will be mailed beginning Thursday.

Completed applications received at Santa Anita by June 9 will be included in a random draw for priority seating. Winners of this lottery will be notified by July 15. To get a ticket application fans can register at three different websites: breederscup.com, santaanita.com and oaktreeracing.com.

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bob.mieszerski@latimes.com