Bluesthestandard Drills Sharply for Palos Verdes

Bluesthestandard had his final major drill before next Sunday's $150,000 Palos Verdes Handicap (gr. II) at six furlongs Sunday, going five furlongs in :59 for trainer Ted H. West.

The popular Georgia-bred son of American Standard, a winner of 14 of his 27 races with earnings of $807,185 for owner Jeffrey Sengara, has a 7-3-1 record in 12 starts at Santa Anita.

"He's pretty consistent in his workouts but this was just typical for him," West said. "He's doing great."

Bluesthestandard has not raced since finishing second to Cajun Beat in the $1 million Breeders' Cup Sprint (gr. I) at Oak Tree Oct. 25. The 7-year-old gelding is territorial, but has handled his training maintenance without serious incident.

"You'd think he would be difficult to control, because he's very tough even when he's in training full time," West said. "But I was a little surprised this last layoff when we backed off on his training, he kept the energy level where it was before but he didn't go through the roof, which is pretty nice. He's a pretty smart horse and he knows the level at which he can mess with you without endangering himself."

Summer Service, beaten a neck in the Jan. 1 El Conejo Handicap (gr. III) at 5 ½ furlongs, worked five furlongs for the Palos Verdes in :59 4/5 Sunday under Corey Nakatani. "He worked good," trainer Bill Spawr said. "Unless lightning hits him in his stall, we're running."

Probable for the Palos Verdes: Bluesthestandard, Mike Smith; Boston Common, Gary Stevens; Captain Squire, Alex Solis; Giovannetti, no rider; Marino Marini, Tyler Baze; Our New Recruit, no rider; and Summer Service, Nakatani.