By My Standards pulls clear in stretch to win Oaklawn Handicap

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – By My Standards looks like a rising star in the handicap ranks. He won his second straight Grade 2 race Saturday, when he defeated a deep field of rivals in the $600,000 Oaklawn Handicap.

By My Standards won by 1 3/4 lengths over Warrior’s Charge, while it was another half-length back in third to Mr Freeze.

By My Standards was winning his third straight race, behind an allowance Feb. 9 at Fair Grounds and the track’s Grade 2 New Orleans Classic on March 21. He broke from post 12 under Gabe Saez and settled just off the pace set by Warrior’s Charge, who took the field through fractions of 23.02 seconds for the opening quarter, 46.91 for the half-mile, and 1:10.67 for six furlongs. By My Standards moved to the lead in the stretch and went on to cover the 1 1/8 miles on a fast track in 1:47.80.

:: To stay up to date, follow us on: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

“Gabe rode an unbelievably good race away from the gate to get good position,” winning trainer Bret Calhoun said. “I was really happy to see him get that position early.

“It was a great ride by Gabe and an outstanding race by By My Standards.”

Calhoun said By My Standards would go to Kentucky early this week and long range he would like to see him develop into a candidate for the Breeders’ Cup Classic in November at Keeneland.

“It’s an advantage for us this year, we think, being in our own backyard,” Calhoun said.

By My Standards is a son of Goldencents who races for Allied Racing Stable. He has now won 5 of 9 starts, and the first-place check of $360,000 pushed his earnings to $1,281,910.