Lava Man is on course for the $5-million Dubai Duty Free (UAE-G1) after working five furlongs over Hollywood Park’s Cushion Track on Sunday.
 
The six-time Grade 1 winner was clocked breezing in 1:01.20 under exercise rider Tony Romero.
 
“He worked fantastic and he scoped clear, so as long as his feet are in good shape, he’s heading out to Dubai,” trainer Doug O’Neill said.
 
Lava Man, who is scheduled to fly to the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday, will be pursuing his first victory outside California. He is unplaced in four starts away from the Golden State, including a seventh-place finish in the 2006 Breeders’ Cup Classic Powered by Dodge (G1) at Churchill Downs.

“The few times that we’ve gone out of town and been unsuccessful, we’ve kind of blamed it on the dirt tracks where we raced,” O’Neill said. “We think he’s equally as good on turf as dirt and that there will be a more consistent surface for him on turf.”