River Boyne the big dog in La Jolla

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.

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 fourrunner 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.

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

◗ Restrained-vengence 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 threequarters 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 Restrained-vengence. 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.”