Mandella’s Tin Man Favored

Kotashaan, who won the Grade II San Luis Obispo Handicap over a yielding turf in 1993, went on to take the Breeders’ Cup Turf over the same course some eight months later for trainer Richard Mandella and was selected horse of the year.

There are no such lofty aspirations for The Tin Man, another Mandella trainee, but the 5-year-old gelding is favored to give the Hall of Fame trainer his second win in the 1 1/2-mile race.

Owned and bred by Ralph and Aury Todd, The Tin Man was a narrow loser as the 9-5 favorite in last month’s San Marcos Handicap. He finished a head behind stablemate Johar, who is now injured.

A winner of five of eight over the Santa Anita turf, the son of Affirmed was fourth in his only other try at the San Luis Obispo, but it was still a good effort. He was fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Oct. 26 after setting the pace.

Harrisand, who was fourth, but beaten by less than a length in the San Marcos, is the 5-2 second choice in the morning line. He and Royal Gem, who has not raced since finishing third behind Johar and Mananan Mclir in the Hollywood Derby on Dec. 1, are both trained by Bobby Frankel, who has two wins in the San Luis Obispo.

Race of the day: Humorous Lady, third in the Sunshine Millions Oaks, is the 5-2 favorite against 10 other 3-year-old, California-bred fillies in the $100,000 Boo La Boo Stakes. The six-furlong race is the eighth at Santa Anita. Other top contenders include Valentine Dancer and Jaciro.

Who’s hot: Jockey Julie Krone had three winners Thursday and is sixth in the Santa Anita standings.

Who’s not: Ralph Ziadie. The veteran trainer won with only two of his first 46 starters at Gulfstream Park.

Exotically speaking: A pick three singling West Forty Six St. in the second, using Alozaina, Walenjack’s Dejavu and Serene In Seattle in the third and Brancusi, Poor Man’s Battle and the Gross Margin-Maneuverable entry in the fourth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 2/96. Money: Previous day/meet total: $9/576. Total money bet: $646.