Lava Man Is Big Winner at Pacific Classic in DelMar

Lava Man is the first horse to sweep Southern California’s “big three” grade I handicaps in the same year after winning Del Mar’s $1 million Pacific Classic by 2 1/2 lengths over Good Reward on Sunday.

The 5-year-old California-bred son of Slew City Slew added the Pacific Classic trophy to his victories in the $750,000 Hollywood Gold Cup July 8 and the $1 million Santa Anita Handicap March 4.

Lava Man had won all six of his starts in 2006, including the Charles Whittingham Memorial Handicap (gr. IT) on the Hollywood Park turf June 10.

Ridden by Corey Nakatani, Lava Man was on or near the lead on the rail the whole way. He gave Preachinatthebar the slip in the far turn and powered away to open a three-length lead at the quarter-pole. He won while drifting in under strong urging from Nakatani.

With the $600,000 winner’s check, Lava Man pushed his career earnings to $3,504,706, the third most for a Cal-bred. He’s behind Tiznow ($6,427,830) and Best Pal ($5,668,245).

Giacomo, the 2005 Kentucky Derby (gr. I) winner and third betting choice, was fifth, another two lengths back.

“He was pulling too hard on me,” jockey Mike Smith said. “Too hard right from the start. He usually drops it (the bit), but he wouldn’t let go today.”

Top This and That was four lengths back in sixth, and Magnum - beaten by Lava Man in the Santa Anita Handicap - was seventh, a half-length back after making a bid approaching the final turn. Preachinatthebar was last after leading through early fractions of :23 1/5 and :46 3/5.

Lava Man covered the 1 1/4 miles in 2:01.62. He was third in last year’s Pacific Classic, when Borrego defeated Perfect Drift by a half-length with Lava Man a neck farther back.

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