Pepper Spray notches third consecutive win with Riley Allison

Pepper Spray remained undefeated in three starts Sunday when he eked out a neck win over Bye Bye Bobby in the $100,000 Riley Allison Derby at Sunland Park.

It was another seven lengths back in third to Benissimo.

The Riley Allison was the first stop on the road to the Grade 3, $500,000 Sunland Derby on March 27. The other local prep is the $100,000 Mine That Bird Derby on Feb. 27.

The Riley Allison Derby was showcased on a card of three stakes. The $65,000 Borderplex is a local steppingstone to the $300,000 Sunland Park Oaks on March 27 and it was won by Miss Hard Knocks. The $100,000 Jamison Memorial for 4-year-olds and up bred in New Mexico went to Delbert Too ($65).

Pepper Spray ($18.60) was making his two-turn debut after winning a maiden special weight sprint last July at Canterbury and the $60,000 Lost in the Fog Juvenile at 6 1/2 furlongs in December at Turf Paradise.

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In the Riley Allison he closed into fractions set by Yukio, who ran the opening quarter in 23.52 seconds, the half-mile in 46.51 and six furlongs in 1:11.23. Pepper Spray and Bye Bye Bobby battled to the wire, with the winner covering the mile on a fast track in 1:37.75.

Luis Valenzuela was aboard the winner for trainer Edward Kereluk. Pepper Spray is a son of Tale of Ekati who races for his breeder, Roys Mansur.

*** In the Borderplex, Miss Hard Knocks ($23.80) closed into fractions of 22.74 seconds for the opening quarter and 45.50 for the half-mile before covering the 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:16.49. She won by a neck over favorite Tyler’s Dream.

Harry Hernandez was aboard for trainer Bart Hone.

Miss Hard Knocks is a daughter of Mr Speaker who races for Jeremy Ramsland.

*** Delbert Too was a half-length winner of the Jamison Memorial, while covering 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:16.19. He is a son of Marking.