CALIFORNIA CUP CLASSIC HCP. $250,000 for three-year-olds and up, 1 1/8 miles.
LAVA MAN was trying his third stakes in a row and looked sure to take this prize too, but was caught in the final strides on the outside by Cozy Guy and held on gamely for second place. His record is now 16-4-5-2 with $193,603 earnings.