Bluesthestandard Draws Rail for Potrero Grande

(from Santa Anita report)
Bluesthestandard will have to overcome the inside post position if he is to defend his title in Sunday's $200,000 Potrero Grande Breeders' Cup Handicap (gr. II) at Santa Anita Park.

The popular 7-year-old gelding finished a disappointing seventh as the 8-5 favorite when he broke from the No. 1 post in the San Carlos Handicap (gr. II) on March 7. But the Georgia-bred son of American Standard came back with a sizzling five furlong workout Sunday in :57 2/5. Trainer Ted. H. West termed the drill "the fastest I've ever seen a horse work."

Owned by Jeffrey Sengara, Bluesthestandard has a 15-6-3 record from 29 career starts with earnings of $897,185. He has won eight of 14 starts at Santa Anita.

While Bluesthestandard will face only four rivals in the Potrero Grande for older horses, he has stiff opposition in Unfurl The Flag, McCann's Mojave and Watchem Smokey.

On Feb. 21, Unfurl The Flag equaled the 24-year-old, seven-furlong track record of 1:20 set by the great Spectacular Bid. Unfurl The Flag gets a new rider for the Potrero Grande, since Mike Smith opted to stay with Bluesthestandard.

McCann's Mojave shows only one loss in five career starts for 81-year-old trainer Leonard Dorfman. McCann's Mojave, a California-bred son of Memo, is three for four on Santa Anita's main track.

Watchem Smokey faded in the San Fernando Breeders' Cup Stakes (gr. II) at 1 1/16 miles but has won seven of his 10 starts. The 4-year-old son of Alphabet Soup is trained by Hall of Famer Bobby Frankel, who is seeking his first win in the Potrero Grande.

$200,000 Potrero Grande Breeders' Cup Handicap (gr. II), 4 & up, 6 1/2 furlongs
1. Bluesthestandard, Mike Smith, 118
2. McCann's Mojave, Jose Valdivia Jr., 114
3. Unfurl The Flag, Tyler Baze, 114
4. Watchem Smokey, Victor Espinoza, 115
5. Casas Caballo, Martin Pedroza, 114