River Boyne rallies in La Jolla Handicap

DEL MAR, Calif. - Even a touch of trouble in a six-horse field could not stop River Boyne from an expected win in Sunday’s Grade 3 La Jolla Handicap at Del Mar.

River Boyne ($3) was steadied on the backstretch of the $150,345 La Jolla Handicap for 3-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles on turf, but rallied in the final quarter-mile to win by 1 3/4 lengths over 10-1 Arawak.

River Boyne was timed in 1:40.93. In the end, the trouble only added a touch of drama to the outcome.

“That worried me a little bit,” trainer Jeff Mullins said. “It’s so easy to get into trouble in a small field.”

Ridden by Flavien Prat, River Boyne won his third stakes in his last four starts in the La Jolla, and first in a graded stakes. River Boyne was fifth on a yielding turf course in the Grade 2 American Turf Stakes at Churchill Downs on May 5, on the undercard of the Kentucky Derby, in his graded stakes debut.

Prat said River Boyne grabbed the bit on the backstretch at a time when horses racing in front slowed the pace. River Boyne quickly settled and responded when Prat asked for a run in the final quarter-mile.

“He started to level off,” Prat said.

Arawak, sixth in the Oceanside Stakes here July 18, closed from last to finish a half-length in front of Calexman, who was third in the Oceanside. Inscom finished fourth, followed by Restrainedvengence and Move Over.

Restrainedvengence, who won the Oceanside, was fifth with a wide trip through much of the La Jolla and was beaten 4 1/4 lengths. Jockey Evin Roman rode Restrainedvengence and dropped his stick on the turn.

After the race, trainer and co-owner Val Brinkerhoff questioned his decision to run Restrainedvengence twice in less than three weeks.
“He ran all right,” Brinkerhoff said. “I might have run him back too fast.”

Several runners from the La Jolla are likely to start in the Grade 2 Del Mar Derby, a $250,000 race at 1 1/8 miles on Sept. 2. The distance will suit River Boyne, who has won twice at 1 1/8 miles on turf, including the Rainbow Stakes at Santa Anita on June 16.

“He’s such an athlete,” Mullins said.

Owned by Red Barons Barn and Rancho Temescal, Rive Boyne has won 5 of 10 starts and earned $361,718. River Boyne, by Dandy Man, was winless in three starts in Ireland last year. He has won 4 of 7 starts in the United States.