West coast horsies - where they are headed

– Santa Anita Handicap and Hollywood Gold Cup winner Lava Man went to the track Wednesday for the first time for a gallop over the Del Mar oval as he begins his serious preparations for the Grade I, $1-million Pacific Classic Sunday, August 20. Trainer Doug O’Neill said the big gray multi-million-dollar winner would work a couple times before the race. Lava Man is the first horse to have the chance to win Southern California’s Big Three events in one season, and O’Neill noted that adds pressure to the situation, but is confident the horse will respond well … Trainer Ron Ellis said Declan’s Moon, who suffered his first career defeat last Sunday, is still being pointed toward Del Mar’s Grade II, $300,000 Pat O’Brien Breeders’ Cup Handicap at 7 furlongs on Sunday, August 20. Ellis said Buzzards Bay is also in his Del Mar barn and will be training toward either the Pacific Classic or the Del Mar Breeders’ Cup Mile (Saturday, August 26) … Another Pacific Classic prospect, Magnum, is scheduled to work a half-mile Thursday for trainer Darrell Vienna. Vienna will send multiple stakes winner Star Parade 3 furlongs also on Thursday as she is being prepared for the Grade II, $300,000 Clement L. Hirsch Handicap Sunday, August 6. Vienna’s Cheroot is being prepped for the first running of the California Dreamin’ Handicap Friday, August 4,