Star Standard probably should have had enough left from the slow pace to fight off any late closer.

Star Standard did a lot of early running before folding to ninth.

"I would think we would have something going for Star Standard, if it did rain," he said.

As a three year-old, Star Standard began improving in the spring of 1995.

In that race, Star Standard broke well and shot right to the lead.

Going into the far turn, Star Standard had led every step of the way in the first three quarters of a mile.

Star Standard covered 13/16 miles in 1:542/5 over a track that had been downgraded from fast to muddy less than an hour after a thunderstorm.

But she can't handle Star Standard in a race.

So, Star Standard had the lead going into the first turn.

After three-quarters of a mile, Star Standard was still there, and so were his two pursuers.