Bluesthestandard Keeps On Winning

All Bluesthestandard did last year after being claimed for $50,000 by owner Jeffrey Sengara on the final day of 2002 was win four of 10 starts, finish second in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint and earn $631,975.

If trainer Ted H. West is right, 2004 could be even more lucrative for the gelding. West says Bluesthestandard is better than ever at age 7 and the Georgia-bred, who once ran against $10,000 claimers, backed his trainer’s words with a one-length win in the $150,000 Palos Verdes Handicap on Sunday at Santa Anita.

Making his first start since he completed the exacta behind Cajun Beat in the Breeders’ Cup on Oct. 25, the 9-5 favorite outbattled 4-1 fourth-choice Marino Marini in the final eighth of a mile under jockey Mike Smith to win in 1:08.13 for the six furlongs.

This was the 15th win in 28 starts for Bluesthestandard and his eighth in 13 tries at Santa Anita. It also ended a six-race losing streak. The victory in the Palos Verdes, a Grade II, was his first since he won the Texas Mile at Lone Star Park on May 26.

“Before the Breeders’ Cup, he took his training up to a new level, even though he’s always been an awesome work horse,” West said. “[Smith] said he felt better all over and stronger than he did last year. He thinks he’s a better horse this year too, so we’ve got a long campaign ahead of us and this is a good way to start.”

Plans call for Bluesthestandard to return in the seven-furlong San Carlos Handicap on March 7, then to defend his title in the Potrero Grande Breeders’ Cup Handicap three weeks later.

Our New Recruit, the second longest shot in a field reduced to seven after Summer Service was scratched in the morning, finished third, four lengths behind Marino Marini. Then came Boston Common, Captain Squire, Tough Game and Giovannetti.

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Gulfstream Park, which was hit with heavy rain Saturday, canceled its races Sunday after two of the scheduled 10 had been run. The cancellation was announced after a lengthy delay following the second race as the jockeys refused to ride because of what were called “unsafe track conditions.”

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Olmodavor, who had been second to eventual horse of the year Mineshaft in the 2003 New Orleans Handicap in his first visit to Louisiana, did better in his second trip, winning Sunday’s $100,000 Whirlaway Handicap.

Trained by Richard Mandella for a partnership, the 3-2 favorite won for the fifth time in 11 starts, beating Spanish Empire and seven others in the Grade III. Ridden by Corey Lanerie, the 5-year-old A.P. Indy horse completed the 1 1/16 miles in 1:45.59.

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Action This Day, the upset winner of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile and the 2-year-old champion, worked seven furlongs in 1:25.40 preparing for his 2004 debut in the $75,000 Sham Stakes.

At this point, it looks like five others -- Borrego, Preachinatthebar, Totally Platinum, True Contender and Winner From Mars -- will oppose the son of Kris S. in the 1 1/8-mile race.