Twilights Prayer takes Spruce Fir

OCEANPORT, N.J. - Twilights Prayer, benefiting from a typically patient turf ride by Joe Bravo, burst through horses in the stretch Sunday afternoon to win the $50,000 Spruce Fir Handicap at Monmouth Park.

Twilights Prayer ($3.40) ran the one mile in 1:36.62 over the firm course, beating Someones Coming by 1 3-4 lengths with So Excited third.

It was a repeat win for Twilights Prayer in the stakes for New Jersey-bred fillies and mares.

The 5-year-old mare posted her sixth career win, all on the grass.

"She's a wonderful filly," said Kim Laudati, who trains Gary Contessa's Monmouth division. "I wish we had a barnful just like her. She's full of heart and she loves to be a racehorse."

Reserved in fifth through the first half mile, Twilights Prayer surged clear once she found daylight in the final furlong.

"She was much the best," Bravo said.

* City Fire took the $60,000 Serena's Song Stakes in a 16 1-2 length romp.

The race fell apart when She Is Raging, the 9-5 second choice, swung wide into the clubhouse turn and was pulled up on the backstretch.

With her chief rival unable to press the issue, City Fire waltzed around the track on an uncontested lead.

City Fire ($4.40) ran the 1 mile, 70 yards in 1:49.95 on the fast track.

Tigress Bythetail trailed far back in second with Charleston Springs third.

The was the fourth on the card for jockey Jose C. Ferrer and his third of the day for owner Michael Gill and trainer Mark Shuman.

"I saw the other horse bolt going into the first turn and I knew I'd be able to set an easy pace," Ferrer said. "Turning for home, she just opened up on them and put the race away."

She Is Raging did return to be unsaddled and walked off the track.