HOBBS, N.M. — It was an easy win for Peppers Pride. About three lengths, in fact.
With the victory Saturday in a 6-furlong allowance race at Zia Park, the New Mexico thoroughbred put herself into the record books. She now has won 17 times in as many starts, setting a modern North American record.
Peppers Pride crossed the line in 1 minute 10.20 seconds.
"We just tried to get away well and then stalked the two speed horses," said jockey Carlos Madiera, who let the 5-year-old mare run past the two pacesetters on the turn. She then cruised from there.
Madiera has been on Peppers Pride for every stride of her record-setting journey spanning four racing seasons.
"This is a thrill I can't explain," he said in the winner's circle. "I'm still numb."
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Before Saturday, Peppers Pride shared the mark of 16 straight victories with Triple Crown winner Citation, two-time Horse of the Year Cigar, Mister Frisky and Hallowed Dreams.
Peppers Pride has won more than $867,000 in her career. Owner Joe Allen, a restaurateur in Abilene, Texas, estimated she has added about $50,000 under New Mexico breeders incentives.
Peppers Pride may go after her 18th straight win in the $170,000 New Mexico Cup Filly and Mare Championship on Nov. 9 at Zia Park. That stakes is part of the New Mexico Cup racing program with $2 million in purses. It celebrates New Mexico-bred racing.
"The New Mexico Cup should be our next stop," said trainer Joel Marr.
Peppers Pride has raced exclusively in New Mexico against state-bred females.
Peppers Pride had a tumultuous summer at Ruidoso Downs after winning the Foutz Dash at SunRay Park in Farmington on April 26 to equal the record.
She was entered in the Lincoln Handicap on April 26, but that program was washed away when the remnants of Hurricane Dolly closed Ruidoso Downs for three racing programs.
The Lincoln Handicap was reset for Aug. 31 with Peppers Pride, but she was pulled because of a sloppy surface.
25-1 long shot wins, qualifies for Cup
TORONTO — Marsh Side, a 25-1 long shot, won the $2 million Canadian International turf race Saturday, beating 35-1 shot Spice Route by 1 3/4 lengths at Woodbine Racetrack.
Marsh Side, trained by Neil Drysdale and ridden by Javier Castellano, ran 1 1/2 miles in 2:28.73 on the firm turf in cool, overcast conditions.
Owner Robert Evans collected the $1.2 million winner's share in Canada's richest thoroughbred event.
The International was a Breeders' Cup Challenge "Win and You're In" race, meaning Marsh Side also earned a berth in the Breeders' Cup turf event, which will be held later this month at Santa Anita in California.
Marsh Side paid $61.20, $23 and $15.60 for his fifth win in 18 starts. Spice Route returned $35.50 and $15.50, and Champs Elysees paid $4.50 to show.
Three other turf stakes — the $1 million E.P. Taylor for fillies and mares, the $500,000 Nearctic for sprinters and $300,000 Summer for 2-year-olds — were also contested.
They, too, were Breeders' Cup Challenge "Win and You're In" races.
Frankie Dettori guided Irish-bred Folk Opera, a 3-2 favorite, to a wire-to-wire victory in the 1 1/2-mile E.P. Taylor. Grand Adventure, an 8-1 pick, took the Summer Stakes by a head over Skipadate, and True to Tradition, also an 8-1 selection, held off 50-1 shot Rouse The Cat to win the Nearctic by a nose.
Vineyard Haven, Sky Diva reach Cup
NEW YORK — Vineyard Haven and Sky Diva raced to impressive stakes wins Saturday at Belmont Park to earn berths in the Breeders' Cup.
Vineyard Haven, trained by Hall of Famer Bobby Frankel and partially owned Los Angeles Dodgers manager Joe Torre, fended off strong early challenges to win the Champagne by 5 3/4 lengths over Munnings.
Sky Diva won the Frizette for fillies by 3 3/4 lengths over even-money favorite Persistently.
The two $400,000 stakes for 2-year-olds were both Breeders' Cup Challenge qualifiers.
With the victories, Sky Diva is headed to the $2 million Juvenile Fillies on Oct. 24, while Vineyard Haven has a slot in the $2 million Juvenile on Oct. 25.
Sky Diva, an easy winner in both starts, was ridden by Ramon Dominguez for trainer Steve Klesaris. She ran a mile on the fast track in 1:37.40, paying $13.20 to win.
Vineyard Haven has three wins in four starts. Edgar Prado was aboard as the colt paid $10.40. The time for the mile was 1:36.06.
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