The Tin Man towers over Hirsch rivals

Multiple Grade 1 winner and $3.6-million earner THE TIN MAN (Affirmed) will

seek his second straight Clement L. Hirsch Memorial Turf Championship S. (G1)

win, and third overall, when he heads to the starting gate in Saturday's

$250,000 event. The nine-year-old gelding lays over seven rivals in the 1

1/4-mile turf event at Santa Anita.

Trained by Richard Mandella, The Tin Man recorded his first of four Grade 1

career wins when capturing the 2002 edition of the Hirsch. He enjoyed a fine

season in 2006, adding wins in the Arlington Million (G1), American Invitational

H. (G2) and San Marcos S. (G2) to his resume, and opened this year with a

terrific score in the Shoemaker Breeders' Cup Mile S. (G1). The classy veteran

exits a close runner-up finish in the Arlington Million on August 11. Regular

rider Victor Espinoza has the call.

Sunset H. (G2) victor RUNAWAY DANCER (Runaway Groom), runner-up in the Del

Mar H. (G2) most recently, is the top threat. The Dan Hendricks-trained

eight-year-old is inching closer to $1 million in earnings. Del Mar H. third-placer

SPRING HOUSE (Chester House) and fourth-placer TOASTED (Hennessy) will also

return in the Hirsch.

The complete field, from the rail out, is ISIPINGO (Horse Chestnut [SAf]),

Aaron Gryder; REPUBLICAN HAWK (Peintre Celebre), Mike Smith; The Tin Man;

Toasted, Michael Baze; PORFIDO (Chi) (Mash One [Chi]), Joel Rosario; Runaway

Dancer, Alex Solis; ARTISTE ROYAL (Ire) (Danehill), Joe Talamo; and Spring

House, David Flores.

All starters will carry 124 pounds.