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Whatsthescript, Lava Man compete for starring role in Eddie Read WHATSTHESCRIPT (Ire) (Royal Applause [GB]), who stamped himself as a rising turf star in the June 28 American H. (G2) at Hollywood Park, will attempt to solidify his upwardly mobile status in Sunday's $400,000 Eddie Read H. (G1) at Del Mar. To do so, however, the John Sadler charge must dispatch six rivals, led by seven-time Grade 1 hero LAVA MAN (Slew City Slew). Long highly regarded, Whatsthescript was unable to build on his early promise when physical problems sidelined him for most of the past year. The four-year-old bay returned to action in the American, where he belied his 29-1 odds. Uncorking a terrific late burst, Whatsthescript rolled past Argentinean champion STORM MILITARY (Arg) (Bernstein) and won going away by 1 1/4 lengths. Regular rider Isaias Enriquez will be back aboard for Sunday's grassy nine-furlong test. Lava Man's form tailed off last season after his historic three-peat in the Hollywood Gold Cup (G1), and he did not set the world alight when third in the Khaled S. in his 2008 bow. The popular California-bred showed much more next time out in the 1 1/4-mile Charles Whittingham Memorial H. (G1) on June 7. After setting the pace beneath new pilot Tyler Baze, the Doug O'Neill trainee yielded grudgingly to Artiste Royal (Ire) (Danehill) and MONZANTE (Maria's Mon). Lava Man's connections decided to forego a chance at an unprecedented fourth straight Gold Cup, preferring to give him more time and await the Eddie Read instead. The seven-year-old gelding will cut back in distance here, but he must shoulder the top weight of 120 pounds, spotting four to Whatsthescript. Irish shipper FERNELEY (Ire) (Ishiguru), the winner of the May 11 Amethyst S. (Ire-G3) at left-handed Leopardstown, adds some international intrigue. Victor Espinoza picks up the mount on the bay, whose 114-pound impost will feel almost feathery after the welter weights he was lugging in Ireland. SPRING HOUSE (Chester House), last seen retreating to 10th in the March 29 Dubai Sheema Classic (UAE-G1), will make his first start back for trainer Julio Canani. Prior to his failed bid at Nad al Sheba, the dark bay captured the 1 1/2-mile San Luis Obispo H. (G2) in good style. Garrett Gomez sticks with the gelding. On the Eddie Read undercard, nine California-bred sophomore fillies will contest the $100,000 Fleet Treat S. Top threats in the seven-furlong Polytrack affair include Hollywood Oaks (G2) heroine LETHAL HEAT (Unusual Heat), Santa Ysabel S. (G3) queen FINAL FLING (Bertrando) and multiple stakes vixen SPRING AWAKENING (In Excess [Ire]), who will be making her three-year-old debut.
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