River's Prayer starts career two for two

River's Prayer remained unbeaten after two starts with a front-running win in Saturday's $94,125 Cinderella Stakes. The victory was trainer Paula Capestro's first stakes win at Hollywood Park.

Ridden by Felipe Martinez, River's Prayer took the lead from the rail, set a quick pace of 21.50 and 44.68 seconds, and was not challenged in the stretch. She appeared to tire late, but finished 3 1/2 lengths clear of My Lucky Free in the field of eight 2-year-old fillies. River's Prayer ($3.60) finished 5 1/2 furlongs in 1:04.30.

"He spent her quite a bit to get her out of the gate," Capestro said of Martinez's ride. "She was a little tired."

My Lucky Free finished second, six lengths in front of Slick Road, who was third in the Nursery Stakes here in mid-May.

River's Prayer races for Capestro and Bearing Point Ventures. River's Prayer won her debut by five lengths against maidens going 4 1/2 furlongs May 18.

Capestro said that River's Prayer will be given a break and may not return until the $125,000 California Thoroughbred Breeders Association Stakes for statebreds at Del Mar on July 22.

"I came back a little quick for this race, and she is a young horse," Capestro said. "I'd like to give her a little breather."