Sale throw-in now looks valuable

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - A year ago, owner Tom Lenner bought two horses in Chile as part of a package - the mare Dream's and the colt Tinquilco. Dream's was the main reason for the sale, and Tinquilco was basically thrown in, according to trainer Ron McAnally.

Friday at Hollywood Park, Tinquilco is capable of scoring his first win in this country in a $44,000 allowance race over 1 1/16 miles.

"He has been running pretty good," McAnally said. "We got him practically for nothing. Here he is in the feature at Hollywood Park."

A 4-year-old, won several minor stakes in Chile in 2004. The races were worth so little prize money that they do not count against his eligibility for the allowance race. Since arriving in this country, Tinquilco has made six starts. He was fifth or worse in his first three starts, but was second or third in his last three races.

On Nov. 4, Tinquilco finished second by a length in a one-mile allowance race on turf.

"A couple of times he broke bad," McAnally said, recalling Tinquilco's recent starts. "I think he's a much better horse now."

Tinquilco will be ridden by Kerwin John, who has been aboard for the colt's last four races. Tinquilco drew post 4 in a 10-horse field that includes Mr. Joe C, who was fifth in the California Cup Classic on Nov. 6; Go Coyote Joe, an easy winner of a $50,000 claimer on Nov. 13; Chester's Choice, who won a match race at Del Mar in September 2003; and Le Copain, a stakes winner in Chile earlier this year.

was eighth in his U.S. debut behind Tinquilco on Nov. 4, but trainer Gary Mandella dismisses that performance.

"He had all kinds of trouble," Mandella said.

Mandella said he hopes that a forecast of wet weather is accurate on Friday. Le Copain ran well in Chile on wet tracks.

"We thought he would be a better grass horse," he said. "We will see if we can deviate from the plan and catch a muddy track. A lot of Argentine-breds like the mud."

The race includes several others who made their last start on turf. More Dust was fourth behind Tinquilco on Nov. 4. Trained by Bobby Frankel, won two stakes on turf in Brazil in 2004.

was second in a turf race over 1 1/8 miles on Oct. 26. He is winless in his last eight starts and won his maiden on the main track.