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The Tin Man mines his second American trophy
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The Tin Man proved he hasn't lost a step at age eight in the American Invitational
(Alex Evers/Horsephotos.com) |
Venerable eight-year-old turf star THE TIN MAN (Affirmed) took full advantage
of the withdrawal of expected pacesetter Willow O Wisp (Misnomer) to wire the
field in Sunday's $250,000
American
Invitational H. (G2), earning his second title in the 1 1/8-mile turf test,
his first coming in 2002. Ralph and Aury Todd's homebred was making his first
start since finishing an outstanding second in the Dubai Duty Free (UAE-G1) in
late March, but horseman Richard Mandella had him fully cranked for a top
effort.
Under a heady ride by Victor Espinoza, The Tin Man seized the race by the
throat from the start, setting sensible fractions of :23 4/5, :47 4/5 and 1:10
4/5 while being stalked by El Don (Cee's Tizzy). The dark bay gelding never
looked in a moment's danger as he entered the stretch, opening up by 1 1/2
lengths through a mile in 1:34 3/5 and holding the late challenge of Hendrix
(Sultry Song) by a confident three-quarters of a length. His final time was 1:46
1/5 on Hollywood Park's firm turf. As the even-money favorite, The Tin Man gave
back $4, $3 and $2.10.
Hendrix had cantered along in last through the first six furlongs and rallied
stoutly through the lane to garner clear runner-up honors, returning $4.20 and
$2.10 as the 5-1 third choice and ending the $8.20 exacta ($1). The 7-5 second
choice Fourty Niners Son (Distorted Humor) raced in third toward the inside
throughout to finish another 1 1/4 lengths back, yielding $2.10 and rounding out
the $12.60 trifecta (2-7-6) ($1). El Don and Mr. Wolverine (Last Lion) trailed.
In addition to Willow O Wisp, Quasimodo (A.P. Indy) was also scratched.
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With this fifth stakes success, The Tin Man improved his record to 25-10-5-2
with $2,376,860 in earnings. Besides his two American H. victories, his other
stakes scores came in the 2002 Clement L. Hirsch Memorial Turf Championship S.
(G1), 2003 San Luis Obispo H. (G2) and 2006 San Marcos S. (G2). The gelding's
career was interrupted by an injury in 2004, necessitating a near 15-month layoff,
but Mandella masterfully nursed him back to peak form.
Bred in Kentucky, the winner was produced by the Tom Rolfe mare Lizzie Rolfe,
who is also the dam of seven-time stakes queen Mama Simba (Mamaison).
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