US Racing / Nick Shiambouros / 09 November 2007 / Leave a comment

Nick Shiambouros reckons Lava Man should be retired and previews the weekend's big races in the USA from coast-to-coast...

Back in early October, when the great Lava Man finished last in The Oak Tree Mile, I reported that if he could not win The California Cup Classic then connections should really think about retirement for him. Well he ran honestly but once again he folded tamely in the lane to finish down the field. I know it must be hard to let go but surely he should retire now. If I had a employee who had made me over $5m I would allow them to have a pleasant and peaceful retirement at my expense. I really hope they do the right thing here. The latest news is that Lava Man has been "turned out at a local farm for an undetermined period".

One man who won't think about retirement is Russell Baze who, on a rare visit to southern California, rode the winner of The California Cup aboard Bold Chieftain. When he was interviewed after the race he was asked if he heard the runner-up Celtic Dreamin' coming back at him. In a response typical of the great man he said "I wasn't looking to see if anyone was coming - I was all out at that point and I could not have done anything about it anyway". A really honest response from one of the hardest working riders I have ever seen.

In an act of solidarity by the New York-based jockeys, led by the acting president of The Jockeys Guild John Velazquez, the jockeys refused to ride on Aqueduct's card on Saturday due to the dangerous crosswinds at the track. In my opinion it was the right thing to do. The Long Island Handicap will be run on Sunday so my analysis of that race is in last week's article.

Istan romped home in The Ack Ack at Churchill thrashing Sun King who is now retired to stud. I hope some of you managed to back Istan at 5 for the win as advised last week. I think there is more to come from Istan so I would keep him on the right side.

Now on to this week's action from coast-to-coast as things get back to normal after The Breeder's Cup. On Saturday the feature is The Red Smith Handicap at Aqueduct run over 11 furlongs on the turf. As far as Stakes races on the turf in New York are concerned this is the last you will see until next year. This one is wide open and several of the big stables are represented. One horse that does interest me is Musketier who flies in from France to contest this one and is a lively outsider but you could do worse than back Prince Rahy, win and place, at around 7 for the win.

Over at Churchill Downs there is a fantastic Grade 2 affair in The Mrs Revere, run at one mile and a sixteenth on the turf. I really was taken by the display of Bit of Whimsey in The QE2 at Keenland when she went by Dreaming of Anna as if she was standing still. I will be backing her to follow up at around 3 in this hot Grade 2 event. Costume takes another crack at her and I would give her a chance to finish closer to the choice. If you are looking for a lively outsider at a price, you could do worse than have a saver on Bicoastal at around 12 for the win. This ex-Brian Meehan inmate was impressive when beating a much weaker field at Keenland last time out.

On a final note the west coast speed of California is almost dead and buried following the opening of Golden Gate Fields. It had the new Tapeta surface up and running at the start of the 2007/08 season on Wednesday. Of the three synthetic racing surfaces that have been laid in California it appears to be similar to the Cushion Track which Hollywood and Santa Anita has. The Polytrack at Del Mar in my view is the poorest of the three. Michael Dickinson was on hand at Golden Gate Fields to cut the ribbon in the winner's circle. $10m was the cost of this exercise and, as the manufacturer, Dickinson was all smiles. For me, I'm still undecided on these new surfaces in America. They seem to have been well received but a big part of me will still miss that traditional west coast speed. That is one thing 'Lava Man' and I have in common.

Tags: lava man, russell baze