Zasha prevails by head in Peppers Pride

Joel Marr, who trained Peppers Pride, sent out the one-two finishers in a Sunland Park stakes named for the undefeated millionaire on Saturday, when Zasha edged Desert Stepper. Zasha won by a head in a photo, while Desert Stepper finished 2 1/4 lengths clear of third-place finisher My Dandy Girl.

Both Zasha and Desert Stepper are by the stallion Desert God, the sire of Peppers Pride. Zasha was bred by Joe Allen, who raced Peppers Pride, a mare who retired 19 for 19.

Zasha ($26.60) was always prominent in the Peppers Pride, a mile race for fillies and mares bred in New Mexico. In the stretch, she came rolling to catch My Desert Stepper while covering the distance on a fast track in 1:37.64.

Jesiere Medina rode Zasha for C. Donnell Echols.