Lava Man's future up in the air
By Steve Andersen
http://www.drf.com/news/article/109749.html
ARCADIA, Calif. - Lava Man's last-place finish in Sunday's $150,000 San Gabriel Handicap at Santa Anita after an 18-month break may result in the conclusive retirement of the 8-year-old gelding.
After the race, trainer Doug O'Neill and co-owner Jason Wood expressed disappointment in the results. Lava Man led to the final turn, and faded through the stretch to finish 6 1/4 lengths behind race winner Proudinsky, the defending champion.
"I thought he'd more fight than that," O'Neill said.
Asked about Lava Man's future, O'Neill said, "I don't know. He'll go back to the track in three or four days if we decide to go on with it."
O'Neill reserved making a decision on Lava Man's future until he confers this week with Wood and co-owners Steve, Dave and Tracy Kenly. The options include a 9-year-old campaign in 2010 or retirement.
Wood was non-committal after the race. "We'll have to regroup," Wood said. "Tyler said he got tired. I expected him to be tough and run 1-2-3. But a mile and an eighth off a layoff is asking a lot. He was training so well. I thought he'd do it.
"I expected more. Lava, when he turns for home, he creates some separation with the other horses. When I didn't see that separation, the race was over. He shouldn't be tired at that point, after a half-mile in 48 seconds."