Lincoln Handicap rescheduled at Ruidoso

The Lincoln Handicap in which Peppers Pride was to bid for a record 17th consecutive win has been rescheduled for Aug. 30 at Ruidoso Downs, and it remains one of two races in which she will likely make her next start, said her trainer, Joel Marr. He said her other option is the $50,000 Carlos Salazar Stakes at The Downs at Albuquerque on Aug. 17. Both races are sprints restricted to fillies and mares bred in New Mexico.

"I just have to wait and see how she trains and make a decision," said Marr. "I just really can't say what we're going to do at this point."

Peppers Pride will set a modern record for consecutive wins by a North American-based Thoroughbred if she wins her next start. She was to attempt the feat in the Lincoln, which was originally scheduled for July 27 at Ruidoso. But seven inches of rain hit the track the morning of the race as part of the Hurricane Dolly storm system, forcing the entire card to be canceled. Ruidoso also had to cancel racing on July 28-29.

Marr said Peppers Pride would be pre-entered in the Carlos Salazar on Sunday. Entries for the rescheduled Lincoln will be on Aug. 27, said Robbie Junk, racing secretary at Ruidoso. He said nominations for the race close Aug. 23. The purse is $67,500.

Peppers Pride equaled the modern Thoroughbred mark of 16 consecutive wins in her last start, when she won the $75,000 Fou tz Distaff at SunRay Park on April 26. She shares the record with Cigar, Citation, Hallowed Dreams, and Mister Frisky. Peppers Pride is undefeated, and has earned $861,665 for her owner and breeder, Joe Allen.