Oceanside winner Restrainedvengence to wait for Del Mar Derby

DEL MAR, Calif. – Restrainedvengence upset Wednesday’s Oceanside Stakes at a mile on turf, and is unlikely to start again until the Grade 2 Del Mar Derby on Sept. 2.

Trainer Val Brinkerhoff said the six-week gap between races gives Restrainedvengence ample time to recover from his first stakes win in the Oceanside. Brinkerhoff, 61, frequently gallops Restrainedvengence and has worked for several months to teach the gelding to not be as eager early in races.

On Wednesday, Restrainedvengence ($24.80) stalked the pace under jockey Evin Roman before taking the lead in the final furlong.

“He will get better now that I’ve gotten him to settle,” Brinkerhoff said.

“I train him with blinkers and it helps with training, but not in the race. I think I’ve got the perfect rider who doesn’t want to fight him.”

:: Clocker Reports: Get in-depth workout analysis for Del Mar & Saratoga

Roman was the champion apprentice jockey of 2017. The Oceanside was his first stakes win since he lost his apprentice claim in March.

Brinkerhoff owns Restrainedvengence with Bob Grayson Jr. An emotional Brinkerhoff dedicated Wednesday’s win to Grayson, who he said is free of the cancer he has battled in recent months.

“It’s been uplifting to have Bob in there,” he said.

Restrainedvengence has won 3 of 8 starts and earned $154,290. The $250,000 Del Mar Derby is run at 1 1/8 miles on turf.

◗ Unique Bella, the champion female sprinter of 2017, worked six furlongs in 1:11.80 on Thursday in advance of a scheduled start in the Grade 1 Clement Hirsch Stakes for fillies and mares on July 29. Unique Bella had the fastest of 14 works at the distance.

Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer said Unique Bella is unlikely to have another workout before the Hirsch, in which she will be a heavy favorite.