Bodog Beat

The Tin Man, the 10-year-old gelding sired by Affirmed, has been sent to a farm near Buelton, California where he will enjoy his retirement.

For the past several months he’s been recovering at Santa Anita Park from a fractured knee.

“He’s such a nice, beautiful horse, and he’s probably one of the kindest horses you could ever have the pleasure of being around,” said River Edge farm manager Russell Drake, who added that The Tin Man had arrived at the farm April 14.

A dark brown gelding, bred and raced by Ralph and Aury Todd Trained throughout his career by Richard Mandella, the multi-millionaire injured his knee while coming out of anesthesia following a surgical procedure last October.

“He’s had trouble with that knee…it has definitely cramped his lifestyle a little bit, but he gets around fairly well,” said Drake. “Right now, I’ve got him out in a big, grass paddock, and his main thing is to just eat and be happy for awhile. He’s just one of those upbeat little guys that love to eat grass, be in the sun, and have a good time.”

Drake has commented that The Tin Man’s movement had been somewhat limited due to calcium deposits that have formed in his knee.

“We’re thinking about maybe seeing if there’s something we can do veterinary-wise that will help him have a little more comfortable life,” Drake explained. “I’ve had him in the paddock quite a few times, and he’s usually just full of energy, racing up and down the paddock, but he’s a little bit slower than that right now.

“He’s been a very wonderful horse for the Todds, and (Richard) did a good job taking care of him and made his life a very interesting one at the track," Drake continued. "So he’s had a pretty good life. I’d just like for him to have a better one in the end.”

The Tin Man took the winner’s circle for the final time in last year’s Shoemaker Mile Stakes at Hollywood Park. Now at the end of his career he holds earnings over $3.6 million with a record of 13-8-2 from 31 starts.

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