Brinkerhoff considering a couple races for Restrainedvengence

DEL MAR, Calif. – The Del Mar-based Restrainedvengence, a fast-closing third in the Grade 3 Longacres Mile at Emerald Downs on Aug. 11, is likely to make his next start outside of Southern California. Friday, trainer Val Brinkerhoff was trying to determine where.

Brinkerhoff would like to run the 4-year-old Restrainedvengence in the $250,000 Old Friends Stakes at Kentucky Downs on Aug. 31, but was concerned he may not gain a berth in the field. The Old Friends Stakes is run at a mile and 70 yards and is restricted to non-winners of a stakes in 2019. The race is expected to draw a large field.

“It’s a little iffy,” Brinkerhoff said of getting a spot in the race.

A backup plan is the $50,000 Rolling Green Stakes at 1 1/16 miles on turf at Golden Gate Fields on Sept. 2.

Friday, Restrainedvengence worked a half-mile in 49.40 seconds, his first workout since the Longacres Mile

In the Longacres Mile, Restrainedvengeance was beaten a neck by winner Law Abidin Citizen as a 26-1 outsider. Restrainedvengence was on the inside turning for home and rallied on the outside under jockey Kevin Krigger to just miss.

“If he stays on the inside, he would have gotten through,” Brinkerhoff said.

Owned by Kelly Brinkerhoff and Bobby Grayson Jr., Restrainedvengence has won 3 of 15 starts and earned $195,460. He won the restricted Oceanside Stakes at a mile on turf at Del Mar in July 2018.