Bluesthestandard: Can't keep him down
DEL MAR, Calif. - When trainer Ted H. West planned a Del Mar campaign for Bluesthestandard he envisioned a start in either the Bing Crosby Handicap on July 26 or Sunday's Pat O'Brien Handicap.
He did not expect to run in both of the top sprints until Bluesthestandard, 6, arrived at Del Mar and showed the enthusiasm of a horse half his age.
"He's been coming out of his races so good," West said. "It's like he thrives on the activity. He's put on 50 pounds since we got down here."
Bluesthestandard's zest for training will be tested in the Grade 2 Pat O'Brien, run over seven furlongs.
The race has drawn 11 entrants, including Disturbingthepeace, the defending champion; Full Moon Madness, a winner of four consecutive stakes; Grey Memo, the millionaire California-bred; and Debonair Joe, the upset winner of the Malibu Stakes last December at Santa Anita.
Full Moon Madness is the 119-pound topweight, spotting the field two to nine pounds. The low weight is Ditch Digger, who was assigned 110 pounds but will carry closer to 114, jockey Mike Smith's minimum weight.
Disturbingthepeace carries 116 pounds and breaks from the rail under Victor Espinoza. Disturbingthepeace was sixth in the Bing Crosby after a wide trip, and is seeking his first win since the 2002 Pat O'Brien, a span of six races.
Bluesthestandard is likely to go favored. In the Bing Crosby, Bluesthestandard bobbled at the start and rallied from fifth to finish third, 1 3/4 lengths behind Beau's Town."
I thought it was over after the first quarter-mile," West said. "We couldn't gain on that horse. Nearly everyone was winning on the lead and you couldn't come from off of it."
For the Pat O'Brien, Bluesthestandard will be ridden by Alex Solis. Bluesthestandard is likely to get a stalking trip behind Full Moon Madness and Tough Game, who adds blinkers following a runner-up finish to Ditch Digger in an optional claimer at Hollywood Park on July 12.
A win by Bluesthestandard could lead to the Breeders' Cup Sprint, West said. Bluesthestandard must be supplemented for $90,000. It is a cost that owner Jeffrey Sengara is willing to pay, provided the gelding proves he belongs, West said.