Peppy Miller finds winning form on dirt with Kachina win

PHOENIX, Ariz. – Peppy Miller moved back to dirt after a dull grass stakes run at Turf Paradise last month and bounced back to form, posting an upset in Saturday’s $25,000 Kachina Stakes at the Phoenix track.

From her rail slot, Peppy Miller ($20.60), owned by Wallstreet Racing Stables LLC and trained by Kevin Eikleberry, sat midpack early under Israel Hernandez in the mile main-track event for distaffers as Memo for Pat went out to a clear early lead while setting solid splits. Peppy Miller advanced up the inside, grabbed the lead on the turn as Memo From Pat fell away, quickly opened up and cruised home to win by three lengths.

Fight to Glory, the even-money favorite, sat second from the start, made a move with the winner on the turn, couldn’t stay with that foe but kept on willingly to finish second. Memories Galore sat well back, came with a smart run along the inside to loom a threat by midstretch but couldn’t sustain her run, finishing third in the field of 10.

Peppy Miller, a daughter of Kentucky Derby winner Fusaichi Pegasus, ran the distance in 1:36.81. The winner’s share of $14,725 gives her a bankroll of $187,366 from nine wins in 42 starts.