River’s Prayer Goes for a Two-Turn Win

As a 2-year-old, River’s Prayer won the first two starts of her career. The daughter of Devon Lane beat maidens in her bow, then won the Cinderella at Hollywood Park less than three weeks later.

The gray filly hopes to begin her 3-year-old campaign the same way and is halfway there entering the $100,000 Torrey Pines Stakes tonight at Del Mar.

Owned by a partnership that includes trainer Paula Capestro, River’s Prayer made her first start of 2006 in the Fleet Treat Stakes on July 23 and responded with a virtual wire-to-wire victory against six other California breds.

In the Torrey Pines, River’s Prayer will try two turns for the first time in her career when she stretches to a mile. With post two in the field of eight, she could have the lead entering the first turn and might get brave under jockey Clinton Potts, who rode her for the first time in the Fleet Treat.

An ungraded race, the Torrey Pines also attracted the Julio Canani-trained trio of Political Web, Kris’ Sis and Catch My Fancy as well as Sweet Way, Getback Time, More Angels and Quiet Kim.

Like River’s Prayer, Kris’ Sis, Catch My Fancy, Political Web, More Angels and Quiet Kim are all coming off victories. Kris’ Sis, a Forestry filly owned by a partnership, has won two in a row after finishing sixth in her sprint bow.

Race of the day: Pickapocket, who beat maidens at 14-1 when making his second start on the Saratoga turf course Aug. 19, is among eight 2-year-olds scheduled to go 1 1/16 miles on the lawn in the $70,000 With Anticipation today. Cornelio Velasquez will ride the son of Mecke for owner-breeder Martin Cherry and trainer Frank Alexander against other last-out winners Kon Krete Kid, Admiral Bird, Twilight Meteor and Wise Captain.

One for the road: Road Show goes dirt to turf for trainer Paul McGee and has run well on the grass before, so tab in the sixth race today at Arlington. Jesse Campbell will ride the 4-year-old Chester House gelding for owner Mace and Samantha Siegel’s Jay Em Ess Stable in the $31,000 allowance at five furlongs. Road Show broke his maiden on the Arlington Park turf on Aug. 28, 2005.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using Run For Dessert in the fifth, Buddyandrowdy and Dadsalittleunusual in the sixth and Kris’ Sis, Sweet Way, Political Web, Quiet Kim, River’s Prayer and Getback Time in the seventh.

Winners: (previous day/meet total): 1/100. Money: (previous day/meet total): $6.40/$573.80. Total money bet: $646.