Intro: My name is Lava Man and I am a 7-year-old dark bay thoroughbred gelding known for being the most lucrative claim in racing history. I have won over $5.2 million so far in my career, and in the 2006 season alone I made $2.7 million from seven straight wins in the Southern California circuit.
Facts: I won Grade 1 Stakes races on dirt, turf and synthetic surfaces. I am currently the 3rd highest earning cal-bred of all time, and I am the only horse to ever win the three biggest west coast races for older horses in the same year: the Santa Anita Handicap, Hollywood Gold Cup, and Del Mar Pacific Classic. I have matched Native Diver's record of winning the G1 Hollywood Gold Cup three times and I was also awarded the honor of CA Horse of the Year for both 2005 and 2006. As of August 2008 I am now retired and training to be a stable pony for my trainer at Hollywood Park.
Pedigree & Name: Born at Popular Meadows Farm near Sanger California on March 20, 2001. I was bred by Lonnie Arterburn, Eve Kuhlmann, and Kim Kuhlmann. Eve Kuhlmann, an avid runner, named me after a triathlon held in Hawaii every April. My parents are Slew City Slew and L'il Ms. Leonard, and my father's sire was the famous 1977 Triple Crown winner Seattle Slew.
Owners & Background: I am owned by the Kenly Family's STD Racing Stable and Jason Wood, who claimed me for $50,000 in August of 2004 from the Kuhlmanns. I began my career in 2003 as a 2-year-old competing in a lowly $12,500 claiming race at the San Joaquin County Fair. From this "blue-collar" background I eventually earned myself positions in some of the most prestigious races in the world, the 2006 Breeder's Cup Classic and the 2007 Dubai Duty Free.
My Trainer & Crew: I would like to thank my trainer Doug O'Neill, assistant trainer Leandro Mora, Dennis O'Neill, my groom Noe Garcia, my excercise rider Antonio Romero, my blacksmith Jimmy Jimenez, Sommer Smith at NexStar Farm, and of course my favorite jockey Corey Nakatani!
Disclaimer: This page was not made by Lava Man's owners or trainer, it is purely a fan site run with the Owner's permission. All Lava photos used with permission, please do NOT reproduce them!!!
Record to date: (46) 17-8-5
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