OT: Breeder's Cup next week

Hi gals,
This is totally OT but I just wanted to let you know about the Breeder's Cup championships next week. A horse that I have worked with quite a bit - Lava Man - will be taking a shot in the $5 million Breeder's Cup Classic race, against the best horses the East Coast and Europe have to offer.

A bit of background... Lava Man is a real rags-to-riches story. Just a few years ago, he was running at a country fair for a $12,500 claiming tag. In true Seabiscuit-fashion, he was purchased, brought to Southern California, and under the care of his new trainer become the best horse the state has seen in a long time. His earnings right now are about $4 million dollars and he is the only horse in history to have swept California's three biggest stake races. He's not a pretty horse, he's not well-bred, but he's one of those look-you-in-the-eye, run-til-you-drop kind of warriors that you can't help admire. (In one race, he fell to his knees at the start and used up all his energy getting back to the lead. Struggling in the stretch, he pinned his ears back, stuck his head out and still held off all the late-runners to win by a nose.)

His trainer is a client of mine, and a great guy to boot. Last year, one of Lava Man's grooms was paralyzed in an unrelated accident. A complete quadrapalegic, he now watches the horse every time he runs because "Lava Man has my legs." It's heartbreaking to hear him say this to me over the phone, because he talks in a ragged whisper, in between respirator "breaths." Doug (the trainer) not only got him a new computer and link-up so he could watch the races, but paid me to do a painting of Lava Man so Armando can look at him all the time. After one of horse's victories this year, I plucked a rose from the victory garland around his neck and dried it. I put it in a little box and inscribed the horse's name, the race/date and the track record he just smashed. I sent it to Armando.

I don't know if Lava Man is good enough to win the BC Classic. As dominant as he is in California, he will have to now face the best in the world. The heavy favorite is Bernardini, an awesome specimen with a blue-blood pedigree who is owned by an Arab Sheik. There is also a serious South American invader and world-class challengers from Europe.
I don't know... but I wish...and hope... and root for Lava Man!

I was checking out your website and wanted to say what an amazing artist you are! I wish I had a fraction of your talent.

I'll be watching the Breeder's Cup races on the simulcast at a track in our area. We use horse racing as an excuse for a get-together for some of our family members.

We'll all be cheering for Lava Man.

Thanks, Squeaky.
I'll be rooting, too, Czar. Lava's not the affectionate sort who will play tongue-games with you, but he's such an inspiration because he always gives everything he's got.