Remington Park: Prayer for Relief gets job done

Prayer for Relief’s determined win in last Saturday night’s $175,000 Governor’s Cup at Remington Park closed the books on a four-race game plan his connections laid out for him earlier this year. Now, his next move is to be determined, said Steve Asmussen, who trains the horse for Zayat Stables.

“He’s at Remington, and he’ll go back to Churchill Downs,” Asmussen said Tuesday. “We’ll discuss with the Zayats where and when they think he needs to run again.

“He’s putting together a very impressive year. He had four races that he was targeted for, and he had two wins and two seconds. I’m very proud of what he’s done so far.”

Prayer for Relief launched his 5-year-old season in April in the Grade 3, $200,000 Texas Mile at Lone Star Park. He finished second, while earning a Beyer Speed Figure of 103. Prayer for Relief’s next out came in the Grade 3, $300,000 Lone Star Park Handicap on May 27, and he again ran second, with a Beyer Figure of 104. From there, Prayer for Relief won the Grade 3, $300,000 Cornhusker Handicap at Prairie Meadows on June 29 with a Beyer of 103. For his win in the Governor’s Cup, he earned a 93.

In the Governor’s Cup, Prayer for Relief had a less-than-ideal trip. He was hung wide on both turns of the 1 1/8-mile race, hitting traffic on the final turn. In the stretch, Prayer for Relief launched a determined bid to take the lead nearing the wire, then fought back against a resurging Worldly.

“He just does what he needs to do,” said Asmussen.

Asmussen will be bidding for his second stakes win of the young Remington meet Saturday with Daddy Nose Best in the $75,000 DeBartolo Memorial.