CHALLENGES FOR LAVA MAN.Byline: KEVIN MODESTI Staff Writer ARCADIA -- Lava Man's invincibility in California for a year and a half won't keep eighthorses from challenging the defending champion in the $1 million Santa Anita Handicap The Santa Anita Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually in the late winter at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California. It is a Grade I race for horses three years old and up, and is considered the most important race for older horses in North America during on Saturday. That's as many as Lava Man faced when he won 2006 Big 'Cap and more than he beat in the Hollywood Gold Cup The Hollywood Gold Cup is a Grade I stakes race for thoroughbred horses inaugurated in 1938 at Hollywood Park Racetrack in Inglewood, California. It was run as a handicap race until 1997 when it was switched to weight-for-age conditions. and Pacific Classic to complete an unprecedented sweep of Southern California's major races for older thoroughbreds. He and jockey Corey Nakatani drew Post 7 Wednesday and were made 4-5 favorites Wednesday in a Clockers' Corner ceremony as Santa Anita set a field that includes recent big-race winners Arson Squad (Strub), Awesome Gem (San Fernando), Molengao (San Antonio), McCann's Mojave (Sunshine Millions Classic The Sunshine Millions Classic is a race for thoroughbred horses held in January at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California or at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida. Half the eight races of the Sunshine Millions are run at one track and half at the other. ) and Boboman (Hollywood Turf Cup). An upset possibility is 10-1 Awesome Gem -- if the 4-year-old with six 1-2 finishes in eightstarts can bounce back from a fifth-place setback in the Strub. "He has the ability to run a distance (the Big'Cap is 11/2 miles)," said Jeff Bloom, head of an ownership group that will travel from as far away as Germany to attend the race. "It's a very exciting time." The challengers will receive seven pounds or more from Lava Man, who's assigned 124 pounds as he seeks his ninth consecutive victory in California and 12th in 13 starts in-state. Since the Cal-bred gelding gelding castrated male horse. , claimed for $50,000 at Del Mar in 2004, began his local dominance, he is 0for 4 out of state, where the competition has been tougher. Nine 3-year-olds were entered for the $200,000 Robert B. Lewis Stakes The Robert B. Lewis Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California. Prior to 2007, it was known as the Santa Catalina Stakes. It is a race for three-year olds and serves as a prep race for the Kentucky Derby. on Saturday's undercard un·der·card n. The event or events coming before and supporting the main event, as of boxing matches. . Favored Great Hunter drew Post 8 for the Lava Man team of Nakatani and trainer Doug O'Neill. heymodesti(AT_SIGN)aol.com (818) 713-3616 CAPTION(S): box Photo: BIG 'CAP LINEUP |
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