Count Again on track for Del Mar Mile, Restrainedvengence maybe not

Count Again, the winner of the Grade 1 Shoemaker Mile at Santa Anita on May 30, remains on schedule for the Grade 2 Del Mar Mile on turf on Sept. 3, but the race may not fit the calendar for the multiple stakes winner Restrainedvengence.

Restrainedvengence, third in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile at Del Mar last November, is winless in four starts this year, and was fifth in the Grade 3 American Stakes at a mile on turf at Santa Anita in his most recent race on June 19.

Trainer Val Brinkerhoff said Saturday that Restrainedvengence is in light training, but that recent blood tests have revealed a viral disorder.

“He ain’t quite right,” he said. “There is something wrong with his blood.

“We’re trying about everything. I’m trying to get him ready for the Del Mar Mile.

“I’m jogging him and galloping. We can’t hit the right button. Hopefully, we can get it figured out.”

Restrainedvengence, an eight-time stakes winner, has won 10 of 39 starts and earned $1,021,752 racing for Brinkerhoff’s wife, Kelly, and Bob Grayson Jr.

Count Again earned a fees-paid berth to the BC Mile on turf at Keeneland on Nov. 5 with the win in the Shoemaker, and will have one prep in the $300,000 Del Mar Mile.

Last year, Count Again started twice during the Del Mar summer meeting, including a fifth in the Del Mar Mile, and did not race again until February of this year.

“He runs well fresh,” D’Amato said. “I learned my lesson last year. We ran him one too many times.”

On Sunday at Del Mar, Count Again worked five furlongs in 1:03.80 on turf.

“We’re steadily cranking him up to the Del Mar Mile,” D’Amato said.