Lava Man: Returning to concerns

The past few days have been quite sad with the deaths of El Prado, and yesterday 1990 Preakness winner (and half brother to A.P. Indy) Summer Squall. However, some news came out yesterday that a certin beloved gelding is coming out of retirement. Lava Man is back in training, and well I have some concerns about this.

1. He's now eight, which means he's going to go against horses that are at the oldest 3, that's five years younger then him. That is, if he makes a start.

2. He has some ankle problems, he did have some stem cell injections. Still it's asking alot after a year layoff... at age eight.

3. He was supposed to go to Old Friends in Kentucky, however the stem cell injections and surgery delayed it. Now I'm sure he won't be welcome as much as Old Friends wants him.

His owners should be ashamed for themselves, and in a way so should Doug O'Neill for agreeing to take him back. However, I will give Doug some credit as he will be donating his earnings (if he runs) to a California foundation. We'll have to see how well he does if he does make it to a race. I just hope he can stay safe and sound if he does make a start.

Here is a vid showing his heart in happier times his third Hollywood Gold Cup win over a game A.P. Excellent.

The return of Midshipman

The 2yo champion male Midshipman returns today in an Opt. Claimer/Allowance at Belmont. This will be his first start wearing the Godolphin colors after wrapping up the year in the colors of Darley. However, he wasn't always a Darley/Godolphin horse. He was aquired by Darley when they bought most of Stonerside's horses (they did not aquire the stallions or Cowboy Cal). Here is a race where he was wearing the Stonerside colors, the 2008 Del Mar Futurity.



While today maybe his return, I'm not picking him to win. Instead I'm going with the Lael owned Just Ben, who is a very speedy horse as he showed on the Belmont undercard (when he was owned by Zayat).



Juvis rule the weekend with the Matron and Futurity at Belmont, up in Canada it's Woodbine's big weekend (outside of Queen's Plate Day) with the Woodbine Mile. Can Ventura rebound from two heart breaking losses against Gio Ponti and Informed Decideson? Or will Bribon continue his acent to the top of the Older Male Divideson. Also going Sunday defending Eclipse winner F/M turf Forever Together who looks like she is following the same path that she took last year.

The Race Horse Idol has been delayed! When I'll start it up? I'm not sure, but I do appologize for the inconvience. And thank you everyone for your patience.