The Tin Man ends Mandella's dry spell

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - A three-month drought in stakes ended for trainer Richard Mandella when The Tin Man won Thursday's $150,000 American Handicap at Hollywood Park.

Before the losing streak was officially over, Mandella had to sweat through a steward's inquiry regarding a bumping incident in the final furlong.

In the end, the judges ruled that The Tin Man ($10.40) did not interfere with Devine Wind even though the two made contact.

"During the race, I didn't think I had anything to worry about," Mandella said.

The Tin Man was Mandella's first stakes winner since April 6, a span of 22 starters. A 4-year-old, The Tin Man won his first stakes in the American and will be considered for the Arlington Million on Aug. 19. He has won 5 of 9 starts and $268,100 for owner-breeders Ralph and Aury Todd.

In the Grade 2 American, The Tin Man finished 1 1-8 miles on turf in 1:46.82, leading throughout under Mike Smith. The frontrunning strategy did not worry Mandella, especially through early fractions of 24.28 and 48.13 seconds.

"He was going slow and looked happy," Mandella said. "I told Mike to do what he thought might be right."

Turning for home, The Tin Man stretched his lead from a length to 1 1-2 lengths, but was quickly challenged by 9-1 Devine Wind. Devine Wind got close to The Tin Man but never got by him, losing by a neck.

The disrupted stretch run worked against Devine Wind, according to trainer Nick Canani.

"He doesn't have the biggest heart in the world when something doesn't go his way," Canani said. "He shies away from things."

Devine Wind finished 1 1/2 lengths in front of Kappa King, the even-money favorite. Native Desert finished fourth, followed by National Anthem, R McLellan and Nicobar. Thady Quill and Super Quercus were scratched on Wednesday, while Amicable was withdrawn on Thursday morning.