Knock him if you must because he can’t win outside of California, but Lava Man proved Saturday, when he matched Native Diver’s record of three consecutive Hollywood Gold Cup victories, that he is one of the top Cal-breds of all time and one of the guttiest horses ever. If you were there or watched the race live on ESPN2, how many times did you think Lava Man was beaten, that he was not going to go past A.P. Xcellent? Like all champions do, he found a way to put his nose in front at the wire.
