Nice Win by River's Prayer in the California Cup Distaff

[ZiaLand]

River's Prayer (by Devon Lane) won the $150,000 California Cup Distaff Handicap on turf (downhill) yesterday at Oak Tree at Santa Anita. I think she lost her rider in her last stakes effort, so this felt like vindication.

Also, my recent purchase had a close relative run well yesterday. Her dam's half-sister has a nice colt also by Devon Lane running in the California Cup Juvenile Stakes (a mile and a sixteeth on dirt, I believe) named Seliman. He just missed third in a three-way battle in this $150,000 stakes. Since I purchased my new mare in foal to Devon Lane, this was promising. (Her dam, a SW of over $100K, is also in foal to Devon Lane.)

Laurie

[jacksontyger]

Paula Capestro has done a great job with River's Prayer. In the last race, River's tried to anticipate the start and hit the gate. The starter's assistant then grabbed and bit her ear. She came out of the gate stumbling, tripped and lost the rider. I hate it because I was interested in seeing her at a mile. I own River's dam Cozzy Flyer and am getting ready to head out to my farm in Louisiana to see her. I bet she gets some extra carrots today. Donnie

[ZiaLand]

Jacksontyger, I've been following River's Prayer since she started running. She's a nice one! Congrats on owning her dam. I'm green with envy. I just sold a nice weanling filly by Devon out of my Southern Halo daughter that looks the part and I have high hopes for her.

Have you thought about breeding Cozzy Flyer back to Devon Lane?

Laurie

[jacksontyger]

I bought Cozzy open at last year's FT sale. I bred her to Forest Wildcat and she is due early February. I have followed River's ever since and went to see her at Del Mar. Her trainer was so nice to let us have access to her. She even puts up with my calls about how she is doing and what they are pointing towards. I don't know yet what I will do with Cozzy this year. I was planning on her going into the Louisiana bred program and this would be her year to be bred to a Louisiana sire. Donnie

[ZiaLand]

Leestown looks interesting with her, strictly based on the reinforcements in the hypo.

But I do have to confess to a huge bias toward Leestown.

Whatever you decide, best of luck with her broodmare career.

Laurie

[Cree]

Didn't River's Prayer go through the rail after she got loose? I thought that was her, but I could be thinking of a different filly.

[jacksontyger]

Paula said the outriders caught her and then she got away. She went through the rail and banged her stifle. Fortunately, Paula gave her some time before her next race. Donnie