Woodbine: Dan the Tin Man scores front-running win in Woodstock

ETOBICOKE, Ontario — Dan the Tin Man rode a speed bias to victory in his first start as a gelding Sunday at Woodbine in the $154,200 Woodstock Stakes.

Dan the Tin Man was hounded by Black Hornet early and set fractions of 22.48 and 45.37 seconds in the six-furlong dash for 3-year-olds. Dan the Tin Man, ridden by Patrick Husbands, opened up a daylight lead around the quarter pole, and then held off the charging favorite Five Iron to score by a half-length, in 1:10.21.

Power Phil checked in third in a field reduced to five with the scratches of Lennon and Kitten Candy.

Dan the Tin Man ($13.60) banked $90,000 for Debmar Stable and trainer Ricky Griffith.

“From looking at the Racing Form, he ran a very nice race when he ran an 81 Beyer [in 2012],” said Husbands, referring to Dan the Tin Man’s maiden win at Woodbine last July. “I told myself to try and steal it. I thought if he could run back to that Beyer, that he’d win this race. He showed he was the best today.”