Tin Man out of Citation

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The Tin Man out of Citation
By JAY PRIVMAN

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - The Tin Man was kept out of the Breeders' Cup Turf because his trainer, Richard Mandella, was not satisfied with the way he was training, and weeks later, things have not improved. So, on Saturday at Hollywood Park, Mandella said The Tin Man would skip Friday's Grade 1, $400,000 Citation Handicap and instead get an extended vacation.

"I just have not had a good week with him," Mandella said. "He's a little stiff and sore right now. No big problems. When I backed off, when we decided not to run in the Breeders' Cup, he got good for a while, but I don't like the way he's been doing the last few days. He's just a little worn out. I'm going to turn him out."

The Tin Man is still among the top contenders for an Eclipse Award as male turf champion, based on his victories earlier this year in the Arlington Million and the Clement Hirsch Handicap, both Grade 1 races. The Citation, though, would have given him another chance to impress voters.

He won 4 of 5 starts this year, his lone loss coming when he finished second of 15 in the Dubai Duty Free. Overall, The Tin Man has won 12 of 27 starts and $3,126,860.

The Tin Man is a gelding, so Mandella plans on bringing him back next year.

"He's only 8," Mandella said, smiling.