Mandella Has Contenders

Richard Mandella looks to have his bases covered in today’s $150,000 San Marcos Stakes at Santa Anita.

The Hall of Fame trainer has The Tin Man to stay close to the pace and Johar to roll from far back.

Both horses are solid contenders to provide Mandella with his second win in the San Marcos -- he won the 1 1/4-mile turf affair with the 8-year-old Sandpit in 1997. The Grade II is one of two stakes on the holiday card. The other is the $150,000 Santa Ynez, a seven-furlong contest for 3-year-old fillies.

Owned and bred by Ralph and Aury Todd, The Tin Man, a 5-year-old Affirmed gelding, will be making his first start since finishing fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Turf last Oct. 26.

The Tin Man has run well after layoffs before, so that doesn’t seem a concern, and he definitely loves the Santa Anita turf course. Five of his six wins have come in Arcadia and he has been worse than second only once in seven races on the local lawn.

Johar, a 4-year-old son of Gone West out of the long-winded mare Windsharp, ended 2002 on a roll. Owned by the Thoroughbred Corporation, he won the Oak Tree and Hollywood derbies in succession and was particularly impressive in the latter. He has lost only once in four races on the Santa Anita turf.

Puxa Saco, unbeaten in four races around one turn, and Elloluv, who shocked Composure when winning the Hollywood Starlet at 30-1 last month, head the field in the Santa Ynez. The race also attracted Himalayan, a recent $80,000 claim by trainer Ted H. West, No Love Song, Watching You and Buttertart.

Race of the day: George Bailey, who has won three in a row for trainer Paul Aguirre after losing the first seven starts of his career, races in today’s seventh at Santa Anita. The gelded son of Conquistador Cielo will have 10 opponents in the $56,000 allowance at one mile.

Who’s hot: William Calhoun. The trainer won with eight of his first 39 starters at the Fair Grounds.

Who’s not: The field in today’s fourth at Golden Gate Fields. The nine fillies and mares are a combined zero for 61.

Exotically speaking: A trifecta in the seventh keying George Bailey on top with Tough Game, Infinite Faith and Chinois in the second spot and all in the third spot.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 5/58. Money: Previous day/meet total: $45/$348. Total money bet: $342.