BY MY STANDARDS RETURNS TO OAKLAWN A WINNER

Hot Springs, Ark. (Saturday, April 10, 2021) – Last year’s Oaklawn Handicap (G2) winner By My Standards, making his first start since two disappointing efforts last November, made a winning return to Hot Springs for owners Allied Racing Stable LLC and Spendthrift Farm LLC when he got up in the final stride to win the $400,000 Oaklawn Mile by a nose over 9-5 favorite Rushie.

By My Standards was sitting fifth early as Pioneer Spirit set the early pace through an opening quarter mile in :23 1/5 and half mile in :47 4/5. The winner was four wide coming around the turn, while Rushie got the early jump from the inside and started to shake clear of the field entering the stretch, but By My Standards proved too good at the end, covering the one mile in 1:37 4/5 over a fast track. Wells Bayou came from last to get third.

“I was trying to get that one position I wanted on the first turn,” jockey Gabriel Saez said. “I got bounced around a little bit, but I relaxed and just tried to keep in that striking position. I was worried about the four (Rushie) inside of me a little bit, but when I saw him go through, I started to go after him. When we turned for home, my horse just left them and kicked in the extra gear I was expecting from him. Luckily we got there.”

By My Standards, a 5-year-old Goldencents horse, improved his career record to 7-4-1 in 15 starts and has now earned $2,069,203. He returned $6.80, $3.40 and $3 as the 2-1 second choice.