Bluesthestandard eyes sweep

GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas - Bluesthestandard is out to complete a sweep of the two richest stakes for older horses at Lone Star Park on Monday, and in the process will attempt to extend his own win streak to six in the Grade 3, $300,000 Lone Star Park Handicap.

The 1 1/16-mile race is the richest of seven stakes worth a total of $1 million on the card. Other top races on Lone Star Million Day include the Grade 3, $200,000 WinStar Distaff.

In the Lone Star, former $10,000 claimer Bluesthestandard will go favored in a field that includes Pass Rush, winner of the Grade 2 San Fernando Breeders' Cup; Private Emblem, who makes his third start back from a layoff; and Pie N Burger, an overwhelming allowance winner at Lone Star.

Bluesthestandard was a powerful winner last out at Lone Star. He shipped in from Santa Anita and used stalking tactics in a four-length win in the Grade 3, $300,000 Texas Mile. He will now try to parlay that victory into a Texas double in the Lone Star. The only horse to ever win both races was Dixie Dot Com in 2001.

"He came out of his last race perfect," said Ted H. West, who trains Bluesthestandard for Jeffrey Sengara. "I really thought the race was pretty easy on him. I don't think we got to the bottom of the tank, where we asked him for everything.

"And from the physical improvement he's shown since, I tend to think there's a better [race] in store. He's put on a little more weight, and has been training super consistently."

The 120-pound highweight, Bluesthestandard will be ridden by Martin Pedroza.

The chief threat to Bluesthestandard could be Pass Rush. In his last start Pass Rush finished second to Aldebaran in the Grade 2 Churchill Downs Handicap. Aldebaran is the probable second choice in Monday's Met Mile behind Congaree, who a year ago won the Lone Star Handicap.

Pass Rush has tactical speed and Pat Day should be able to place him in good early position. "He's push-button," said Pat Byrne, who trains Pass Rush.

Pie N Burger, who earned a 114 Beyer at 1 1/16 miles last year, likes to be in the race early, said his trainer, Cole Norman. "If there's nobody out there, he can be on the lead, but if somebody gets going out of hand, he can sit off of it," said Norman.

* There will be a reduced takeout of 15 percent on the two pick fours Monday.

* The Lone Star Handicap and WinStar Distaff will be simulcast to Southern California. All of the Lone Star Million Day races will be broadcast on HRTV.