‘Tin Man Heads Field

The best race on the card at Santa Anita today is not the one with the largest purse.

California-bred 2-year-old fillies will run for the most cash in the $125,000 California Breeders’ Champion Stakes, but the preceding contest boasts more quality.

A dozen older turf specialists were entered in a $65,000 allowance at one mile, including The Tin Man.

Owned by breeders Ralph and Aury Todd and trained by Richard Mandella, the 7-year-old Affirmed gelding will make his first start since finishing fourth in the Clement L. Hirsch, a Grade I, on Oct. 3, 2004. Victor Espinoza will ride The Tin Man, winner of six of 11 starts on the Santa Anita grass course.

Other win candidates include We All Love Aleyna, Fullbridled, who will make his first start since finishing second in the Dallas Turf Cup on June 18 at Lone Star Park, and Captain Squire.

The main contenders in the California Breeders’ Champion at seven furlongs are recent maiden winners Windy and Unchanged Melody and Bai And Bai and Sierra Sweetie, the 1-2 finishers in the California Cup Juvenile Fillies on Nov. 6 at Santa Anita.

Race of the day: Carminooch, who won the Gander by seven lengths in his return to Aqueduct’s inner track Nov. 30, will aim for his fifth win in 11 career starts in the $75,000 Alex M. Robb Handicap today. The 1 1/16 -mile race for older New York breds is the eighth on the card and is part of a pick six with a carry-over of $187,730. This is the first day of racing at Aqueduct since Dec. 18.

One for the road: Coach Scarpa gets a trainer change to Al Stall Jr. and can break his maiden with his best effort in today’s seventh at Louisiana Downs. Brian Hernandez Jr. will ride the 3-year-old Lord Carson gelding for owner Clinton Glasscock in the $39,000 affair at seven furlongs. Coach Scarpa was second in his first two starts at Turfway Park before running poorly in his final start for trainer Wayne Mackey on Nov. 8 at Churchill Downs.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using Oro De Ole’ and Smoke Dreams in the first, Pure Incentive and Starlet Of Seattle in the second and Royal Eve in the third.

Winners: (previous day/meet total): 4/4. Money: (previous day/meet total): $19/$19. Total money bet: $18.