Lava Man, continuing to dominate his opposition whether running on dirt or turf, cruised to a two-length victory over King's Drama in the $300,000 Charles Whittingham Memorial Handicap under jockey Corey Nakatani yesterday at Hollywood Park.
Lava Man, winner of four straight races in 2006 including the Grade I Whittingham on turf and the Grade I Santa Anita Handicap on dirt, is now expected to defend his title in the 67th running of the Hollywood Gold Cup on July 8.
The California-bred scored a record 8¾-length victory in the 2005 Gold Cup and will try to become just the second multiple winner of the Grade I classic. Native Diver won the race three straight years from 1965-67.
There will be even more on the line in July as Lava Man will attempt a feat no horse has managed since Exceller won the Hollywood Turf Invitational (now the Whittingham) and the Gold Cup in 1973. His trainer was the legendary Whittingham.
The double is one feat which even eluded the great John Henry, who won three Turf Handicaps, but finished second and fourth in two Gold Cup attempts.
Jara's breakthrough
Fernando Jara grew up in Panama admiring the top jockeys in the United States.
The 18-year-old Jara proved he belongs among them when he guided Jazil to a 1¼-length victory in the $1 million Belmont Stakes yesterday at Belmont Park in New York.
“When I was a little kid, I watched all the races,” Jara said. “I saw all the big jockeys and said, 'One day I want to be there.' ”
Jara joined the club with a cool ride in a pressure situation to become one of the youngest jockeys to win the Belmont. Steve Cauthen was also 18 when he won the 1978 Triple Crown with Affirmed.
Jara's foot slipped out of the stirrups coming out the gate. He quickly recovered, getting his foot back in the iron. In full control of the horse again, Jara let Jazil settle in last before launching a move down the backstretch. Jara calmly picked his way through the entire field to put Jazil in position on the final turn to make his winning bid.
Barbaro remembered
Thousands of fans at Belmont Park lined up to sign a giant get-well card for Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro, who continues to recuperate from a broken leg sustained in the Preakness.
The card, 62 feet wide and 7 feet high, featured four life-size images of Barbaro.
