River Boyne the big dog in La Jolla Handicap

DEL MAR, Calif. – The first time River Boyne started at Del Mar, he finished second in a maiden race last November in his American debut. Flavien Prat was aboard and made a prediction immediately after the race to trainer Jeff Mullins.

“He had a good idea what he had,” Mullins said Friday. “He said, ‘He’ll be a good horse.’ He was right.”

River Boyne will have his second start at Del Mar on Sunday in the Grade 3 La Jolla Handicap for 3-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles on turf. Since his American debut, River Boyne has won four races, including two stakes.

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Owned by Jed Cohen’s Red Barons Barn and Rancho Temescal, River Boyne has risen to the top of the California 3-year-old turf division in recent months. How River Boyne runs in the $150,000 La Jolla Handicap and the Grade 2 Del Mar Derby on Sept. 2 will determine whether he retains that position at the end of the summer.

The La Jolla Handicap drew a field of six. The race will be the second start of the summer meeting for Restrainedvengence, who won the Oceanside Stakes in an 11-1 upset on July 18.

KEY CONTENDERS

River Boyne, by Dandy Man
Last 3 Beyers: 87-85-86

◗ River Boyne won the four-runner Rainbow Stakes by 2 1/4 lengths at 2-5 at Santa Anita on June 16, racing near the front throughout. The seven-week gap between starts should be fine, Mullins said.

“There’s no change,” he said. “He’s been on his game most of the time.”

◗ Prat retains the mount on River Boyne, who is likely to race behind expected pacesetter Calexman.

“He’s better tracking,” Mullins said.

Restrainedvengence, by Hold Me Back
Last 3 Beyers: 90-85-84

◗ Restrainedvengence ran the best race of his career in the Oceanside, closing from sixth in the final half-mile to win the one-mile turf race by three-quarters of a length. The La Jolla will be the longest race of his career.

“I think he’ll get the distance,” trainer and co-owner Val Brinkerhoff said.

◗ After the Oceanside, Brinkerhoff said he would wait for the Del Mar Derby with Restrainedvengence. Brinkerhoff changed his mind when the La Jolla began to form with a small field.

“When they’re good, you better run them,” he said.

Move Over, by Acclamation
Last 3 Beyers: 86-77-81

◗ Move Over was scratched from the Rainbow Stakes because of illness and was fifth, beaten 2 1/4 lengths, in the Oceanside Stakes, closing from seventh in a field of 14. Trainer John Sadler said the result was a disappointment.

“It was a confusing effort in the Oceanside,” Sadler said. “We expected more. We thought he might have been a little short. It wasn’t a bad race.”

◗ Move Over was third in the Singletary Stakes at a mile on turf at Santa Anita on May 5.

“My horse is doing good,” Sadler said. “I’m ready to get him back out there.”