by Jeff Lowe
Peppers Pride will have to wait until at least mid-August for her bid to eclipse the modern-day record for consecutive victories.
Owner-breeder Joe Allen said remnants of the major storm that hit New Mexico last weekend have prevented the undefeated mare from training at Ruidoso Downs since July 26.
The storm forced the postponement of the Lincoln Handicap on July 27. Peppers Pride had been entered in the Lincoln in pursuit of a 17th straight win, which would break the modern-day record shared by Citation, Cigar, Hallowed Dreams, and Mister Frisky.
Ruidoso canceled live racing for Thursday and Friday. The track is scheduled to re-open for training on Friday morning.
The Lincoln has been rescheduled for Saturday’s card as part of the Zia Festival, but Allen said Peppers Pride will not race.
“We don’t want to run her without training her,” Allen said after consulting with trainer Joel Marr on Tuesday.
If Peppers Pride is able to get in enough preparation, Allen said she would be considered for the $50,000 Carlos Salazar Stakes on August 17 at the Downs at Albuquerque.
Jeff Lowe is a Thoroughbred Times staff writer