Move Over feeling good for Oceanside

For the second time this summer, Move Over is approaching a turf stakes for 3-year-olds in peak form. Last month at Santa Anita, Move Over was a contender for the Rainbow Stakes only to be scratched because of illness.

“It cost us,” trainer John Sadler said.

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Move Over rebounded quickly and has been pronounced fit for Wednesday’s $100,000 Oceanside Stakes at a mile on turf, the leading race on the opening-day program at Del Mar.

The Oceanside drew a field of 14 and is a tricky betting race, with several capable of winning.

The field includes the stakes winners Artie B Good, who won the Jess Jackson Stakes at Santa Rosa last summer, and Respect the Hustle, who won the Oak Tree Juvenile at Pleasanton last year. Four runners have been second or third in stakes. Eight others have run in stakes.

Move Over’s main rivals are Arawak, who was third in the Rainbow Stakes; Calexman, the stylish winner of a turf sprint at Santa Anita last month; Desert Stone, who won consecutive starts at Santa Anita in May and June; Faversham, a full brother to two-time Horse of the Year California Chrome; and Restrainedvengence, who beat Move Over in a turf sprint at Santa Anita in April.

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KEY CONTENDERS

Move Over, by Acclamation

Last 3 Beyers: 77-81-75

◗ Move Over, who races for Pete and Kosta Hronis, contracted a temperature the day before the Rainbow Stakes.

“It was routine,” Sadler said of the illness. “He’s been training well since he recuperated from that.”

◗ A British-bred colt with 3 wins in 14 starts, Move Over was a troubled third in his stakes debut in the Singletary Stakes at a mile on turf at Santa Anita in May, losing by a half-length after being steadied in the stretch.

“He might have been best,” Sadler said. “We’re ready to go.”

Desert Stone, by Fastnet Rock

Last 3 Beyers: 83-79-68

◗ The Oceanside will be the California stakes debut for Desert Stone, who was eighth in the Grade 3 Pilgrim Stakes at Belmont Park last September when trained by Rudy Rodriguez. Now trained by Richard Baltas, Desert Stone won an allowance race with a $75,000 claiming option June 1 at Santa Anita with a late rally. He won a maiden race there in May.

“He had trouble last time and won,” Baltas said. “The timing is good. It’s been six weeks.

“You would think he would improve the way he ran the last two times. He’s starting to come around.”

◗ Corey Nakatani rides Desert Stone for the first time. Geovanni Franco, who was aboard for the recent wins, is staying with Calexman.

Calexman, by Midshipman

Last 3 Beyers: 80-77-86

◗ Calexman is quick and should be near the front.

◗ Trained by Vladimir Cerin, Calexman has an excellent record on turf, having won two of three starts and losing the other race by a nose. He won a maiden race at a mile on turf at Del Mar last November.

Restrainedvengence, by Hold Me Back

Last 3 Beyers: 84-74-76

◗ Restrainedvengence led to early stretch and faded to fourth in an optional claimer at a mile on turf against older horses June 10. Restrainedvengence was fitted with blinkers for that race, but will not have the equipment Wednesday.

“I think they made him more aggressive in the race,” trainer Val Brinkerhoff said. “He can be a little bit difficult to handle.”

◗ Evin Roman will ride Restrainedvengence for the first time Wednesday. Brinkerhoff would prefer to have Restrainedvengence positioned behind the pace.

“He’s training awesome,” Brinkerhoff said. “If he’ll settle a little bit, he’ll win. He ran an awesome race last time with those older horses. I think I’ve got him pretty sharp.”