 |
| Peppers Pride will try for win number 19 in the New Mexico State Racing Commission Handicap at Sunland Park. Photo: Courtesy Zia Park |
In what is probably her final race, unbeaten Peppers Pride puts her modern North American record 18-race winning streak on the line in the $125,000 New Mexico State Racing Commission Handicap at Sunland Park Dec. 14.
"Most likely it will be (her last start), but that's not a final decision," trainer Joel Marr said Dec. 11.
The final call will be made by Joe Allen, Peppers Pride's owner, who is considering stallion options for his New Mexico homebred, Marr said.
"I think racing another year would be possible," Marr said. "She's sound and I know that's what she would want to do.
"It's really a matter of do we want to take a chance on racing her another year, and weighing that against the possibilities of her first year as a broodmare. I don't want to retire her. But for her, it might be the right time. We'll see what happens Sunday and then decide what to do."
The 5-year-old Peppers Pride will take on seven older fillies and mares in the six-furlong Racing Commission Handicap. It's a race she won last year en route to the consecutive victory record, which she established with her 17th win in a Zia Park allowance race Oct. 4. A lifetime earner of $991,085, the daughter of Desert God extended her streak to 18 on Nov. 9 when she captured the New Mexico Cup Fillies & Mares Stakes at Zia.
"This is the most competitive bunch we've been in against in a long time," said Marr. Peppers Pride, carrying 126 pounds, will spot her rivals seven to 13 pounds as the 3-5 morning line favorite.
.
