The Tin Man takes San Luis Obispo

ARCADIA, Calif. - Ten years ago, Kotashaan finished second in the San Marcos Stakes and won the San Luis Obispo Handicap in a Horse of the Year campaign that included a victory in the Breeders' Cup Turf at Santa Anita.

So far this year, The Tin Man has matched the first two objectives. On Saturday, The Tin Man scored an easy victory in the $200,000 , leading throughout and drawing off through the stretch to win by 9 1-2 lengths.

Sent off as the heavy favorite, The Tin Man ($3) was never threatened. Jockey Mike Smith guided The Tin Man to the lead in the opening furlong, set slow fractions of 26.03 and 51.10 seconds and was always in front by at least 1 1-2 lengths.

Special Matter closed from fourth to finish second, 1 1-2 lengths in front of Harrisand, who was followed by Lucky Molar and Continental Red. Hannibal Lad and Royal Gem were scratched on Saturday morning.

The win marked the first success for The Tin Man over 1 1-2 miles, the same distance as the Breeders' Cup Turf in October. The Breeders' Cup remains a long-term objective for owners Ralph and Aury Todd and trainer Richard Mandella.

"He acts like he'll run all day," Mandella said.

Mandella said The Tin Man will be pointed for the $250,000 San Luis Rey Stakes over 1 1-2 miles on March 15. Said Mandella, "Thank God, that's a weight-for-age race the way he let him run off.

*In the $112,500 Boo la Boo Stakes, Long Term Wish rallied from last on the backstretch in a field of 11 3-year-old California-bred fillies to win her first stakes.

Ridden by Alex Solis for Golden Eagle Farm and trainer Caesar Dominguez, Long Term Wish ($30.80) took the lead in the final stride to deny My Kai. Market Garden finished third.

Humorous Lady and O Nectar set a fast pace of 21.26 and 44.37 seconds, but faded in early stretch. There were six fillies within three lengths at the sixteenth pole. My Kai led in the final 50 yards, but was caught on the line by Long Term Wish, who finished six furlongs in 1:11.46.