Calhoun expecting better from Mr. Money in Blame Stakes

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Trainer Bret Calhoun is confident Mr. Money will get back to form in the $100,000 Blame Stakes on Saturday at Churchill Downs after a disappointing 4-year-old debut.

“You can draw a line through that last one,” said Calhoun, referring to a sixth-place finish in the April 11 Oaklawn Mile. “It started raining 15 or 20 minutes before the race and he never got settled, never took hold of the bridle, never got into the race.

“Obviously, that’s not him. He trained good into the Oaklawn race and out of it, and now we’re back where he loves it. He’s always had an affinity for Churchill,” where his 3-for-4 local record includes victories in the Pat Day Mile and Matt Winn last spring.

Mr. Money figures to contend for favoritism in the Blame with Owendale, who is making his 4-year-old debut, and a second Calhoun trainee, Silver Dust, a hard-knocking 6-year-old.

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Trained by Brad Cox, Owendale earned more than $1 million last year, ending his season with a runner-up finish behind the older Tom’s d’Etat in the Clark in late November.

The rest of the Blame field was expected to include Alwaysmining, Backyard Heaven, Bourbon Resolution, Global Campaign, Long Range Toddy, and maybe a few more.

By My Sandards works

By My Standards had his first breeze since furthering his stature in the handicap division with a victory in the May 2 Oaklawn Handicap. The 4-year-old Goldencents colt went a half-mile in 50.20 seconds early Tuesday.

“We just wanted something easy,” Calhoun said. “We’re a ways away from his next race,” the Grade 2 Stephen Foster on closing day of the meet, June 27.

“I just want to keep him fresh, keep him happy,” Calhoun said. “Down the road, we’ll get some more serious work into him.”

Meanwhile, another of the division elite, Tom’s d’Etat, is scheduled to breeze Friday in his first work since arriving at Churchill from Oaklawn Park. Winner of the Oaklawn Mile in his lone start of the year, the 7-year-old horse also is being aimed at the Foster by trainer Al Stall Jr.

With no Downs After Dark cards at the meet, the Foster will be run in daylight hours for the first time since 2011.