Mullins tries hand at 'Blues'

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - Bluesthestandard, the runner-up in the 2003 Breeders' Cup Sprint, will make his debut for trainer Jeff Mullins in a $51,000 optional claimer at Hollywood Park on Friday.

For the second consecutive race, Bluesthestandard is eligible to be claimed. was taken by owner Bob Bone for $40,000 on March 31 when he finished fifth at Santa Anita. In Friday's race at 6 1/2 furlongs, Bluesthestandard is entered for an $80,000 claiming price.

On March 31, Bluesthestan-dard was beaten eight lengths after leading to the eighth pole. The race was his ninth consecutive loss, dating back to the Grade 2 Palos Verdes Handicap in January 2003.

A winner of 15 of 37 starts and $958,558, Bluesthestandard, 8, has had three published workouts since his last start - a half-mile in 45.60 seconds on April 10, a five-furlong breeze in 1:04.20 on April 22, and five furlongs in 1:00.80 on May 1. The April 10 workout was the fastest of 45 recorded works at the distance; the April 22 work was the slowest of 33 at the distance.

Bluesthestandard faces a tough field on Friday. Gilgames, a stakes winner in Chile in 2004, makes his second start in the United States, having finished a game second in a seven-furlong allowance race on April 22.

Bluesthestandard starts from post 5 and could be on the front with Rojo Toro, who is entered for an $80,000 claiming price. Rojo Toro is winless in nine starts since the 2003 San Rafael Stakes at Santa Anita.

A fast pace would help Tiz Only Money and Majestic Commander, who start from the outside two post positions in the field of seven.

is trained by Ted H. West, the previous trainer of Bluesthestandard.

A 5-year-old, Tiz Only Money has won 3 of 6 starts in a career plagued by layoffs. Tiz Only Money won an optional claimer at 6 1/2 furlongs by five lengths on April 17. He worked a half-mile in 46 seconds at Santa Anita on Monday, the fastest of 29 recorded works.

, trained by Bob Baffert, is returning from a six-month break. Last November, Majestic Comman-der won an allowance race by 6 1/2 lengths, rallying from off the pace.