Kim Loves Bucky and The Tin Man Ready for United Nations

Two invaders, Kim Loves Bucky and The Tin Man, have arrived at Monmouth Park in advance of Saturday's $750,000 United Nations Handicap (gr. IT).

The Tin Man came from trainer Richard Mandella's barn at Santa Anita. The plane stopped in Kentucky to pick up Kim Loves Bucky from trainer John Glenney's barn. Both horses arrived on the same van from Kennedy Airport Tuesday evening.

The United Nations will be Kim Loves Bucky's second attempt at a grade I race. The 6-year-old gelded son of Green Dancer finished fourth in the last year's Turf Classic Invitational (gr. IT) at Belmont, where he ran fourth behind fellow United Nations hopeful Denon.

"He's ready to step up again," said Glenney said. "Every year he's moved up a notch, and he's better this year than he was last year. I think he can step up against these horses."

Kim Loves Bucky opened the season with a repeat score in the Elkhorn Handicap (gr. IIIT) at Keeneland, then ran fifth in the Jim Murray Handicap at Hollywood Park before returning to win the Louisville Handicap (gr. IIIT).

"He had excuses in the Murray," the trainer said. "He pulled a shoe during the race, and that was past of the reason he ran so poorly."

Jockey Shane Sellers has the call aboard Kim Loves Bucky, who will gallop up to the race. He had his final drill for the United Nations Monday at the Thoroughbred Training Center in Lexington, getting five-eights of a mile in 1:02.

The Tin Man stretched his legs Wednesday morning over the Monmouth main track, going at an easy gallop with Crystal Brown, Mandalla's assistant, aboard.

The Tin Man had one of his worst races ever when he ran seventh in the Jim Murray, but the 5-year-old son of Affirmed notched a grade I victory in last year's Clement Hirsch Memorial. This year, he has a grade II score in the San Luis Obispo at Santa Anita.