Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino (Sunday, December 16, 2007)
Peppers Pride gains 14th consecutive win in $125,000 NM State Racing Commission
Romeos Wilson defends title in $125,000 Johnie L. Jamison Handicap
Photo Credit Eugene O'Neill / Coady
Photo
The unbeaten Peppers Pride gained her 14th consecutive win with a rousing victory
in the $125,000 New Mexico State Racing Commission Handicap at Sunland Park
Racetrack and Casino on Sunday.
Carrying top weight of 127 pounds and racing with over $150,000 bet on her to show,
The 1-9 favorite delivered a winning blow in upper stretch by overtaking a very
stubborn Hollywood Gone.
Peppers Pride relaxed early down the backstretch while stalking the pace setting
duo of Hollywood Gone and Complete Pride. The big favorite assumed a menacing
position in second place when passing the quarter pole.
Under jockey Carlos Madeira, the popular Desert God filly responded willingly
in deep stretch to win the 6 furlong test by one and one-half lengths. The winning
time was a sharp 1:10.24.
The victory was worth $75,000 for owner Joseph Allen of Abilene, Texas. His star
Thoroughbred has now earned over $756,000. She is closing on the all-time
Thoroughbred record of 16 consecutive wins held by Citation, Cigar, Hallowed
Dreams and Mister Frisky.
Winning trainer Joel Marr said in the winner’s circle, “There was a lot of pressure
on us for the past two weeks. I feel like a big weight has been moved off my shoulders,
but we don’t get to relax for very long.”
Peppers Pride may next be pointed to the $100,000 Sydney Valentini Handicap
on Sunday, March 23. She won the 2007 Sydney Valentini Handicap at one
mile.
The runner-up Hollywood Gone ran a terrific race carving out the early fractions
She fought valiantly in the stretch drive with Peppers Pride. The multiple stakes
winner five-year-old mare earned $27,500 for owner Rita Danley.
Hang Glide made a late run to earn third place. The 9-2 second choice finished a neck
in front of Let the Musicbegin.
Romeos Wilson defended his title in the $125,000 Johnie L. Jamison Stakes with a
sterling effort in the six and one-half furlong co-feature. The 9-year-old veteran
gelding propelled through the stretch with an energetic move. He pulled clear of
Some Ghost by one-length
at the wire.
Photo
Credit Eugene O'Neill / Coady Photo
Fred Danley’s rugged stakes star completed his 15th career triumph pushing his
career bankroll past $735,000. The Jack Wilson gelding is one of the most consistent
New Mexico-breds ever. He seems to be getting better with age.
The 5-1 shot returned $12.00 on ever $2 win ticket.
Danley completed a lucrative stakes double on the weekend. The trainer also saddled
Gotta Get to victory in the $125,000 Jess Burner Memorial Handicap on Saturday.
Some Ghost produced a late run on the far outside to gain second for owner
Stan Fulton.
The three-year-old ZZ Dome ran strongly to finish third beaten one and one-half lengths
in his first attempt against older runners. He is locally owned by James Howard.
Racing resumes on Wednesday at 12:15 p.m.