San Marcos

A full and contentious field of 14 has been entered in Sunday's $150,000 San

Marcos S. (G2), and the 1 1/4-mile test features the stakes return of Grade 1

hero THE TIN MAN (Affirmed). The eight-year-old gelding came back from a near

15-month layoff last out in a December 28 allowance at Santa Anita, scoring by a

head at the end of the mile affair. The Richard Mandella trainee needed that

race off the break and appears ready to reclaim his place in the graded ranks.

The Tin Man made a name for himself in 2002, posting five wins from nine

starts, including scores in the Clement L. Hirsch Memorial Turf Championship S.

(G1) and American H. (G2). He continued his winning ways as a five-year-old,

taking the San Luis Obispo H. (G2) and just missing in the United Nations (G1)

and San Marcos. During his entire career, the dark bay has earned stellar BRIS

Speed and E2 Pace ratings, most recently garnering 101 Speed and 110 E2 Pace

figures in his return. The Tin Man loves Santa Anita's turf (12-7-2-0) and has

experience winning at 10 furlongs, and we think he'll add another victory to his

already impressive record. Victor Espinoza has the return call.

WARRIOR SONG (Unbridled's Song) is a lightly raced four-year-old, having

competed in only six events during two seasons. In that time, however, the

chestnut has won three of his races and placed second in another. The most

recent victory came last out in an allowance at Santa Anita while Warrior Song

was making his first start for new trainer Michael Machowsky. The colt posted a

99 Speed rating for that front-running length win as well as a 103 E2 Pace

figure. Warrior Song will be making his stakes debut in this spot, but could

come out on top with Aaron Gryder in the saddle.

ESTEVAN (Grand Slam) is stretching out past nine furlongs for the first time

here, but has been on fire of late while moving up in distance, taking the

Labeeb S. over Woodbine's main track going a mile and 70 yards before trying the

1 1/8 miles in the San Gabriel H. (G2) on New Year's Day, where he rallied from

last to take fourth on the good turf. In both instances, the Josie Carroll

trainee earned triple-digit Speed figures and century-topping BRIS Late Pace

ratings. Estevan might show even more here and the five-year-old could even

surprise with the win. David Flores will be aboard for the first time.

FITZ FLAG (Arg) (Flag Down), a Group 2 hero in his native Argentina, proved

he could hold his own against U.S. rivals with a close third in the San Juan

Capistrano Invitational H. (G2) last April, which was also his most recent

start. That shouldn't hurt the Juan Reviriego charge, as he has returned off

layoffs in the past to run well. While we don't think the six-year-old chestnut

will be able to earn his first U.S. win here, Fitz Flag will be a threat in the

top three.

ATLANDO (Ire) (Hernando [Fr]) did manage to grab a first win stateside while

making his first start, that coming as a neck score in the October 30

Knickerbocker H. (G3). He took a slight break before returning in the San

Gabriel to run second, and posted stellar numbers in both starts. The Darrell

Vienna-conditioned five-year-old has the ability to get his picture taken at the

end of this one. SIGFRETO (Spunky Rascal) spent most of 2005 on the main track,

but immediately showed his liking for the turf once again when taking his

eight-year-old bow in a Santa Anita optional claimer in early January. His speed

numbers aren't quite as high as we would like, but the gray gelding could still

make his presence felt in the exotics. TOASTED (Hennessy) will be trying 10

furlongs for the first time here, but was third in the San Gabriel off a slight

break and could make a run for the gimmicks.

ALWAYS FIRST (GB) (Barathea [Ire]) was last seen running sixth in the August

28 Del Mar H. (G2), but captured the Sunset Breeders' Cup H. (G2) at 1 1/2 miles

prior to that and might grab part here. WHILLY (Ire) (Sri Pekan) finished second

in the Clement L. Hirsch most recently, but that came more than three months

ago. The Doug O'Neill charge has the talent to take this one, but might need a

race off the break. Nonetheless, include him in the exotics. ADREAMISBORN (Kris

S.) is taking a step up here, but is a multiple Grade 3 winner and could earn a

check.

LICENSE TO RUN (Brz) (Exile King) is returning off a more than six-month

layoff and ran fifth in this event last year. We can't recommend. REBEL REBEL

(Ire) (Revoque) hasn't done so well against U.S. stakes company and could need a

race off a more than two-month break. BOUTHAN (Fr) (Sadler's Wells) and MILK IT

MICK (GB) (Millkom [GB]) are both making their U.S. bows in this spot, so we'll

just watch for now to see how they handle the change in climate.