INGLEWOOD, Calif. (April 8, 2008) - Three-time Hollywood Gold Cup winner Lava Man, aiming for a return to the races in the $150,000 TVG Khaled Stakes, heads a list of 351 nominees to the $1.3-million Cal National Gold Rush IX program at Hollywood Park on Sunday, April 27.
Lava Man, who equaled legendary Native Diver with his third consecutive Gold Cup victory in 2007, was turned out last fall and has been prepping steadily at Hollywood Park for his return and an anticipated attempt to win an unprecedented fourth Hollywood Gold Cup.
Trainer Doug O'Neill nominated Lava Man to the Khaled at 1 1/8 miles on the Lakeside Turf Course as well as the Tiznow Stakes at 7½ furlongs on Cushion Track, but he is planning to run Lava Man in the former. Two years ago the son of Slew City Slew set a course record of 1:44.26 in the Khaled.
Lava Man, a 7-year-old owned by STD Racing and Jason Wood, is the third-leading California-bred earner of all-time behind Tiznow ($6,427,830) and Best Pal ($5,668,245) with a bankroll of $5,214,706.
Nominations in just about all of the ten races on the Cal National Gold Rush IX program are up from a year ago. The ten races attracted 351 nominees compared to 293 in 2007 - a 20 percent increase.
The quality runs far beyond Lava Man. Nominations to the Khaled also include graded stakes winners Lucky J.H., Notional and Unusual Suspect as well as defending champion Epic Power.
Brother Derek, the 2005 Hollywood Futurity and 2006 Santa Anita Derby winner, joins Lava Man, Lucky J.H. and Unusual Suspect on the nominations list for the Tiznow, which also includes Grade I sprint winners Johnny Eves, Bilo and Greg's Gold - the defending champion. Multiple graded stakes winners Bonfante and McCann's Mojave are also nominated.
Bob Black Jack, the runner-up in the 2008 Santa Anita Derby, heads a list of 24 nominations to the $250,000 Cal National Snow Chief Stakes at 1 1/8 miles on Cushion Track, while 2007 Melair winner and recent Las Flores Handicap victor Tiz Elemental heads a list of 17 nominations to the $150,000 B. Thoughtful Stakes at seven furlongs.
Tiz Elemental, a winner of five of seven starts for owner/breeder Warren B. Williamson, is also nominated to the $150,000 Fran's Valentine Stakes at 1 1/16 miles on turf. Her stablemate Tiz a Blend - winner of the Valentine Dancer on the same program Tiz Elemental won the Las Flores - is also nominated.
The $200,000 Melair - at 1 1/16 miles on Cushion Track - attracted the second- and third-place finishers in the Santa Anita Oaks in Golden Doc A and Final Fling as well as unbeaten Lethal Heat.
Golden Doc A won the Grade I Las Virgenes in February, while Final Fling captured the Grade III Santa Ysabel in January.
Entries for Cal National Gold Rush IX - which includes a Guaranteed $1-million Pick Six - will be taken on Thursday, April 24. Post time on Gold Rush Day is 12:30 p.m.
