Restrainedvengence all the way in Rolling Green

Although he was looking for his first win in more than a year, Restrainedvengence ($3.60) looked like the one to beat based on his past two starts and he scored a dominating victory in $51,000 Rolling Green on Monday at Golden Gate Fields.

A turf specialist with 11 of 15 starts coming on the grass, the 4-year-old Hold Me Back gelding was third in a three-way photo in the Grade 3 Longacres Mile in his last start after overcoming early trouble.

Trainer Val Brinkerhoff told jockey Juan Hernandez to make sure Restrainedvengence had running room, and Hernandez gave him a masterful ride.

Restrainedvengence got away well from the rail and maintained an advantage over second-choice Builder, who was hard to load but ran a good race.

Hernandez relaxed his mount through easy early fractions of 24.72 and 49.70 seconds during the opening half-mile as he led Builder by a half-length. They were being challenged at the quarter pole, but Restrainedvengence readily assumed command.

“When I asked him to go, I didn't really even hit him,” said Hernandez, who had a four-length lead by the eighth pole . “You feel it when you know your horse is running well and then gives you something more just like that.”

Builder looked as if he might be passed late by Wicked Old Fashion, the lone mare in the race who had been part of the exacta in nine of 10 starts over the Golden Gate course, but he finished a head in front of her and 3 1/2 lengths behind the winner.

The winning time was 1:43.93.

The victory was worth $30,400 for owners Kelly Brinkerhoff and Bob Grayson Jr. Restrainedvengence now has four wins in 16 starts. His career earnings are $225,860.