NTRA release

The undefeated Peppers Pride, a five-year-old New Mexico bred mare, will try to put her name in the record books Sunday with an unprecedented 17th consecutive career win in the $50,000 Lincoln Handicap at Ruidoso Downs in Ruidoso Downs, N.M. The only catch is whether the weatherman will cooperate.

“Hopefully, we’ll be able to run,” said Peppers Pride’s trainer Joel Marr, who would prefer not to race his charge over an off track. “She’s doing great.”

Peppers Pride, undefeated in 16 career starts, currently shares Thoroughbred racing’s record for consecutive wins with 1948 Triple Crown winner Citation, two-time Horse of the Year Cigar, Santa Anita Derby winner Mr. Frisky and the Louisiana-bred sprinter Hallowed Dreams. She was originally scheduled to race for the record on July 27, but the Ruidoso Downs racing program was washed away that day by the flood that caused more than $15 million in damage to the Ruidoso area.

“It [the track closure] affected us quite a bit,” said Marr. “We lost training, but she has had two good works since then,” Marr said.

The Lincoln Handicap is restricted to New Mexico-bred fillies and mares, three-years-old and up. All of Peppers Pride’s races have taken place in New Mexico, including three wins at Ruidoso Downs, where she made her career debut, capturing a $3,200 maiden trial on July 26, 2005. She also won last year’sLincoln Handicap at Ruidoso by a half-length. Peppers Pride drew post two for the Lincoln in a field of eight, and should she start, she will be ridden once again by Carlos Madeira, who has piloted her in all 16 of her career outings. Approximate post time is set for 4:12 p.m. (MDT), or 6:12 p.m. (EDT).