by Jeff Apel

Unbeaten 12-time stakes winner Peppers Pride set a modern North American record on Saturday by earning her 17th consecutive victory.

Peppers Pride added her name to the Thoroughbred record books by earning a 1 3/4-length victory in a $38,200 allowance/optional claiming race at Zia Park under jockey Carlos Madeira, who has ridden the Desert God mare in each of her 17 career starts. Peppers Pride previously shared the record of 16 consecutive wins with 1948 Triple Crown winner Citation, two-time Horse of the Year Cigar, Grade 1 winner Mister Frisky, and multiple stakes winner Hallowed Dreams.

“This is a thrill I can’t explain,” Madeira said. “I’m still numb.”

Winning trainer Joel Marr was equally pleased.

“I feel great, relieved,” Marr said. “Maybe it will set in tomorrow.”

A Joe Allen homebred, Peppers Pride has raced exclusively in New Mexico and has compiled $884,585 in purse earnings.

“We’re especially happy for the state of New Mexico and New Mexico racing,” Allen said. “Joel and his crew and Carlos have done a great job, too.”

Peppers Pride entered off a win in the Russell and Hellen Foutz Distaff Handicap on April 26 at SunRay Park. The five-year-old mare originally was slated to contest the Lincoln Handicap on July 27 at Ruidoso Downs but a storm postponed the race. The race was rescheduled for August 31, but Marr scratched Peppers Pride because of wet track conditions.

Marr was concerned that the long layoff and multiple scratches might take a toll on Peppers Pride.

“That was my biggest concern,” Marr said. “I know she is a naturally fit individual and always gives her best. It was the mental issue I was worried about.”

Peppers Pride was the overwhelming 1-to-5 favorite in the field of six on Saturday. The dark bay or brown mare broke sharply and tracked Mega Dome from third through a quarter-mile in :22.40.

Positioned three wide, Peppers Pride quickly opened a head lead through a half-mile in :45.40 and increased her advantage to one length in early stretch. Peppers Pride easily turned back a late bid from multiple stakes-winning runner-up Silver Expression and won the six-furlong race in 1:10.20 on a track rated as fast.

Marr said Peppers Pride could make her next start on November 9 at Zia in the New Mexico Cup Filly and Mare Championship.

“Of course, we’ll take it one race at a time,” Marr said. “But the New Mexico Cup should be our next stop.”

Peppers Pride is a full sister to stakes winner Desert Pride and is out of the winning Chili Pepper Pie mare Lady Pepper.

Jeff Apel is a Thoroughbred Times assistant daily news editor