River Boyne to get firm turf in Rainbow Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. – River Boyne was perfect in 2018 until he encountered a yielding turf course at Churchill Downs on May 5, finishing fifth in the Grade 2 American Turf Stakes.

“He doesn’t like soft turf,” trainer Jeff Mullins said on Thursday.

“We were there and everything, and it started to rain.”

River Boyne will have his preferred firm turf in Saturday’s $100,000 Rainbow Stakes for 3-year-olds at 1 1/8 miles at Santa Anita.

“We expect him to run a big race,” Mullins said.

The Santa Anita course has become home for River Boyne, who won three consecutive starts from late December to mid-March, culminating with the Irish-bred winning his stakes debut in the Pasadena Stakes at a mile on turf on St. Patrick’s Day.

The Rainbow Stakes drew only five runners and is led by River Boyne, who races for Jed Baron’s Red Barons Barn and Rancho Temescal. Blame the Rider and Move Over, who were first and third in the Singletary Stakes for 3-year-olds at a mile on turf May 5, are two other runners capable of winning.

KEY CONTENDERS

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

◗ River Boyne’s three wins at Santa Anita ranged in distances from a mile to 1 1/8 miles. In all three races, he closed from the back of the field to win by at least a length. In the American Turf, River Boyne was as close as fourth with a furlong remaining and was beaten three lengths by Maraud.

◗ River Boyne, who was winless in three starts in Europe last year, began his career at Del Mat last fall, finishing second to Blended Citizen in a maiden race. Blended Citizen has won two graded stakes.

Blame the Rider, by Jimmy Creed
Last 3 Beyers: 83-78-65

◗ Trained by Doug O’Neill, Blame the Rider is unbeaten in two starts on turf, racing near the front in both races. He won a maiden race at a mile April 14 and his stakes debut in the Singletary. The Rainbow will be his longest race.

“We’ve learned he wants to be on the lead or near the lead,” O’Neill said.

Move Over, by Acclamation
Last 3 Beyers: 75-81-75

◗ Move Over won an optional claimer at about 6 1/2 furlongs on the hillside turf course May 17 following his third-place finish in the Singletary. Move Over was beaten a half-length in the Singletary after racing in traffic in the stretch.

“He might have been best in the Singletary,” trainer John Sadler said.