Calhoun points By My Standards to Steve Sexton Mile
By My Standards, who in his last start went over $2 million in earnings, is being pointed for the Grade 3, $400,000 Steve Sexton Mile at Lone Star Park on May 31. The race anchors Lone Star Million Day.
“We’ve circled that race for a while and plan on coming,” said Bret Calhoun, who trains By My Standards for Allied Racing Stable and Spendthrift Farm.
By My Standards won the $400,000 Oaklawn Park Mile in his seasonal debut April 10. He is based in Kentucky.
The Steve Sexton Mile is the richest of five stakes to be run on Lone Star Million Day. Calhoun, who has a division at Lone Star, could have other stakes starters on the card. He said Mr. Wireless is possible for the $300,000 Texas Derby, while Ain’t No Elmers is being considered for the $100,000 Memorial Day Sprint.
By My Standards, who has won four Grade 2 races, has a goal of winning a Grade 1 this year. His first chance at one will come this summer in New York.
“We’re kind of targeting the Whitney,” Calhoun said of the Saratoga race that By My Standards ran second in last year.
Calhoun said Gabe Saez, the regular rider of By My Standards, has the mount in the Steve Sexton Mile.
Mr. Wireless, a son of Dialed In who is unbeaten at two turns, also is under consideration for the Matt Winn on May 29 at Churchill Downs.
“I’m going to try to pick the best spot,” Calhoun said. “He’s thriving right now.”
Mr. Wireless has won his last two starts, his most recent a first-level allowance at 1 1/16 miles on May 1 at Oaklawn.
Gallant Plunger tests Lone Star
Gallant Plunger, who went 2 for 3 this past meet at Oaklawn, will make his Lone Star Park debut in the ninth race Sunday.
The first-level allowance for 3-year-olds and up will be run over six furlongs. The field of seven includes Backshot, who earlier in his career was based in Southern California.
Gallant Plunger, who won back to back races at Oaklawn in February and April, exits a conditioned allowance in which he finished fourth behind stakes winners D’Rapper and Gray Attempt. The race has since become a key one, with runner-up Chipofftheoldblock and Gray Attempt each returning to win an allowance at Indiana and Churchill, respectively. The six-furlong race Gallant Plunger exits went in a quick 1:09.18.
Stewart Elliott has the mount Sunday for Madaket Stables and trainer Steve Asmussen.
More sprints for Mocito Rojo
Mocito Rojo, a multiple graded stakes winner at two turns, made a rare six-furlong start Tuesday at Louisiana Downs and was a convincing winner of the allowance. He won by 8 1/4 lengths, and after covering the distance in 1:09.78 earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 93.
“I’m not sure where we go from here,” trainer Shane Wilson said Thursday. “We may keep him sprinting – ideally six- to seven-furlong one-turn sprints. We’ll kind of look around.”
Mocito Rojo is unbeaten from four starts at one turn. Overall, he has won 19 of 36 starts and earned $869,063. Mocito Rojo races for Wayne T. Davis.
◗ The Texas Racing Commission on Tuesday approved the transfer of Retama Park’s meet for Quarter Horses to Sam Houston Race Park, according to Sam Houston. The 20-date meet will run from June 23 to Aug. 7. Retama sustained damage in a winter ice storm in February, according to a press release from Sam Houston, and repairs will not be completed in time to conduct a meet.
◗ Terra’s Angel has been bred to Maximus Mischief, said Terry Eoff, who co-owns the multiple stakes-winning mare who was retired last year. Maximus Mischief is a Grade 2-winning son of Into Mischief.
◗ Remington Park on Thursday instituted a 28 percent increase to overnight purses for the final two weeks of its Quarter Horse meet, the track announced. The Grade 1, $1.2 million Heritage Place Futurity will lead a card of nine stakes on closing night May 29.