Lava Man: "It's like having Arnold Palmer as your caddie."
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With Belmont selling out for the June 9th Stakes and the excitement building for I'll Have Another's bid at the Triple Crown, one of the great under-reported stories is that of Lava Man. He is I'll Have Another's escort pony, who as a $50,000 claim won 17 races and $5.2 million in a career that included Grade 1 wins on grass, dirt and synthetic, making him the only North American horse to accomplish the feat.
"If horses talk, and we think they do, then there couldn't be anyone better to lead him out," trainer Doug O'Neill said.
"It's like having Arnold Palmer as your caddie."
In January I had the fortune of visiting O'Neill's barn to watch Lava Man do his job and shot some video of his fantastic post-caddying work routine.
The 11-year-old is turned loose for a few minutes to rule the barn and help himself to brunch. (And please don't ask about the moment when one of O'Neill's trainers pointed at a horse and said "this is our Derby horse." I took it about as seriously as a parent predicting their kid will win the Masters some day. Oops! He's one win from the Triple Crown!)
Anyway, the great Lava Man at play:
