Pedigree Look: Lava Man

Name: Lava Man

Year Born: 2001

Color: Dark Bay

Sex: Gelding

Sire: Slew City Slew

Dam: Li'l Ms. Leonard

Broodmare Sire: Nostalgia's Star

Profile: Last February, Doug O'Neill introduced to the world I'll Have Another (Flower Alley) when he upset the field in the Robert B. Lewis. It was just the start of what would be a very high profile Triple Crown run for the eventual 3yo Champion Male. However, there would be one horse in the O'Neill barn that would help ease the pressure and spotlight off of I'll Have Another. This horse was the one who first put O'Neill in the spotlight in 2005 and 2006. In matter of fact, he is called "The Coach" in his new role as a stable pony for the barn. So who is this horse? Why it's none other then the richest claimer of all time Lava Man (Slew City Slew)!

Lava began his career in Northern California where it took five times for him to break his maiden. He would then spend the next few months in primarily Allowance and Claiming company (he would venture into stakes company in the 2004 Snow Chief where he finished last). On August 13, 2004 at Del Mar he would finish second in a Claiming race where he was entered for a tag of $50,000. O'Neill claimed him in that race and that was when he took off, well not right away that is. After a win in the Derby Trial at Fairplex, he would finish no worse then third in his next three starts. That includes a runner up finish in the 2004 Malibu Stakes behind Rock Hard Ten (Kris S.) who was right behind Smarty Jones (Elusive Quality) in that year's Preakness. His four year old season was when he really blossomed. However, the year didn't start off as planned with loses in several stakes including the Sunshine Millions Classic. He broke thorough graded stakes company with a suprise win in the Californian where he defeated Borrego, Molengao, Ace Blue and others. He followed that up with his first G1 win in the Hollywood Gold Cup, once again beating Borrego and adding Congrats and Limehouse to the list. The Pacific Classic though would turn out to be a diester. He would finish third, but was vanned off (Borrego won the race with Perfect Drift finishing in the runner up spot). He would make two more starts that year, but finished off the board both times.

The 2006 season was his best ever. He won both the Santa Anita Handicap and defended his Hollywood Gold Cup title by a nose. He went into the Breeders' Cup Classic with a big chance at Horse of the Year honors. The race was billed as the showdown between him and Triple G1 winner Bernardini. Instead though it was Invasor who won the race and the title of Horse of the Year. 2007 would bring wins in the Sunshine Millions Turf and another win in the Big Cap. He would also tie Native Diver for three Hollywood Gold Cup's in a row. 

Here is he winning the HGC in 2007: http://youtu.be/ze6uRBSzqMs

That would be the final win of his career. He would run several more times, but wasn't the same horse. Lava Man retired and was unreturned, before being perminantly retired after a last place finish on the grass. Lava Man has become one of the most famous race horses turned stable ponies. Although, he could get a run for his money as fellow HGC winner Awesome Gem is currently training to be a pony for his trainer Craig Dollace.

Sire

Slew City Slew (Seattle Slew) is a multiple G1 winner and in 1988 set a track record at Laurel for a mile and a eighth. As a sire, he is not only the sire of Lava, but G1 winner Sis City.

Seattle Slew (Bold Reasoning) is the 1978 Triple Crown winner. He is also the sire to A.P. Indy and Swale. His dam My Charmer (Poker) is a stakes winner. Other then Slew, she is the dam to G1 winner in England and Ireland Lomond (Northern Dancer) and G1 placed in France Seattle Dancer (Nijinsky II). She is a full sister to stakes placed Keeper's Charm (Poker) and Sweeties Charm (Poker).

Weber City Miss (Berkley Prince) is a G1 winner. Other then City, she is the dam to G1 placed Dream Touch (Riverman) and G2 placed City Dance (Seattle Slew) (the latter is the dam to stakes winner in Japan Toyo Seattle (Deputy Minister) and G3 winner in France Black Rock Desert (Danzig)). 

Dam

Li'l Ms. Leonard (Nostalgia's Star) won eight races in her eighteen start career. Other then Lava, she is the dam to G2 winner Enriched (High Brite). 

Nostalgia's Star (Nostalgia) is a G1 winner. As a sire, his best foal is stakes winner Nipsy's Star. His dam Aunt Carol (Big Spruce) is a 1/2 sister to G3 winner Clocks Secret (Apalachee) (she is the second dam of Danish stakes placed Woven Roving (GB) (Mystiko).

Her dam, Pink Native (Be a Native) was unraced. Li'l was her best foal. This is the same female family as stakes winner C.Q. Cady (British Roman).