Peppers Pride chases history

Peppers Pride, a 5-year-old mare who is unbeaten in 14 starts, will try to take another step closer to history in Sunday's $100,000 Sydney Valentini Handicap at Sunland Park. The mile race, for New Mexico-bred fillies and mares 3 years old and up, drew a field of seven.

Peppers Pride, owned by Joseph Allen and trained by Joel Marr, hasn't raced since capturing the New Mexico Racing Commission Handicap here Dec.o16. That was by design, however, as Marr specifically said after that race that the Valentini was her next target.

A victory Sunday would get Peppers Pride within one win of the modern-day record of 16 consecutive victories. The record is shared by Cigar, Citation, Hallowed Dreams, and Mister Frisky.