Restrainedvengence makes American first graded-stakes victory
ARCADIA, Calif. - It took 11 tries and nearly three years for Restrainedvengence to win his first graded stakes in Sunday’s Grade 3 American Stakes at a mile on turf at Santa Anita.
There were a few near-misses along the way, notably a third by a neck in the Grade 3 Longacres Mile at Emerald Downs in August 2019 and a second by a head in the Grade 2 City of Hope Mile on turf here in October 2019.
In the $100,500 American Stakes, Restrainedvengence was the narrow winner this time, closing from fourth in a field of six under jockey Tyler Baze to prevail by a half-length over 9-10 favorite Neptune’s Storm, who led in the final furlong.
“I wasn’t worried about the horse in front of me,” Baze said of the stretch run. “I was worried about the closers. If he has a target, he’ll run to it.”
Tiz Plus (17-1) finished third, a length behind Restrainedvengence and the only closer to make a move in the stretch.
Restrainvengence ($8.80) was timed in 1:33.87 and earned $60,000 for co-owner and trainer Val Brinkerhoff and co-owner Bob Grayson Jr. The American Stakes was the first graded stakes win for Brinkerhoff, 64.
Sash (17-1) set a quick pace of 22.91 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 45.88 for a half-mile, leading by as many as 2 1/2 lengths. Neptune’s Storm, in his first start since September, tracked Sash and took the lead in early stretch. It appeared jockey Flavien Prat had made a decisive move on Neptune’s Storm.
“The pace was really strong,” Prat said. “I caught the leader and it looked like I’d win.”
Restrainedvengence closed 2 1/2 lengths in the final quarter-mile to reach the front with strides to spare.
“He was in the perfect spot,” Baze said. “He’s a grinder. I started working on him at the three-eighths pole. It’s cool.”
Tiz Plus was followed by Majestic Eagle, Sash and Border Town in the field of six.
Baze had two stakes wins on Sunday. In the race following the American, Baze won the $100,000 Fasig-Tipton Debutante on At the Spa.
Restrainedvengence, a 6-year-old gelding by the Giant’s Causeway stallion Hold Me Back, has won 9 of 31 starts and has earned $768,182.
The American Stakes was Restrainedvengence’s seventh stakes win and first since the $200,000 Downs at Albuquerque Handicap in New Mexico last September and first in Southern California since the 2018 Oceanside Stakes at Del Mar.
Earlier this year, Restrainedvengence was second in the Santana Mile on dirt at Santa Anita in March, third in the Grade 3 San Francisco Mile on turf at Golden Gate Fields in April, and third in the Grade 1 Shoemaker Mile on turf at Santa Anita on May 31.