Calhoun's goal is to get By My Standards a Grade 1 victory

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Trainer Bret Calhoun on Monday was just starting to look over options for a spring-summer campaign for By My Standards, who went over $2 million in earnings Saturday with his nose victory in the $400,000 Oaklawn Mile.

The race was the horse’s first start since November. Calhoun said the multiple Grade 2 winner was to travel Monday to Kentucky.

“Nice comeback race for him, for sure,” said Calhoun.

By My Standards has a couple of upcoming opportunities at his home track of Churchill Downs. Calhoun said the $125,000 Blame on May 29 is an option for the horse’s next start. That race could set him up for a return to Grade 2 competition in the $600,000 Stephen Foster over a mile and an eighth June 26.

The hope is to nail down a Grade 1 win with By My Standards this year, and the Churchill races could be the right path back to the Whitney at Saratoga, said Calhoun. Last year, By My Standards ran second in the Grade 1 Whitney, which was won by eventual champion Improbable.

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“It would be his first shot at a Grade 1 this year,” Calhoun said. “This seems like a pretty logical schedule right now, but that’s just a first few glances and thoughts. Nothing’s set in stone.”

By My Standards is owned by Allied Racing Stable, which had a new partner in the Oaklawn Mile in Spendthrift Farm.

Calhoun had another stakes win Saturday, when Silver Dust captured the Grade 3 Ben Ali at Keeneland for owner Tom Durant.