Five-year-old Peppers Pride broke her own record of most consecutive wins by a Thoroughbred on Sunday, November 9, in the New Mexico Classic Cup Championship for Fillies and Mares at Zia Park. It was her 18th win in 18 starts.

With regular rider Carlos Madeira aboard for owner Joe Allen and trainer Joel Marr, Peppers Pride raced the mile in 1:38 1/5 to finish one length ahead of La Sorpresa. In her previous start, a Zia Park allowance race, she broke the record she held with Triple Crown winner Citation, two-time Horse of the Year Cigar, Santa Anita Derby winner Mr Frisky, and Louisiana-based sprinter Hallowed Dreams.

“We know that this filly is not Citation or Cigar,” said Allen, referring to comments from some of the Thoroughbred media. “We haven’t been the ones to compare her to those horses. We’re just glad to have her.”

Sired by the Fappiano son Desert God, Peppers Pride was bred by Allen out of stakes-placed Lady Pepper, and started by Marr at two. She has raced strictly against other New Mexico-bred females, at distances of 5 1/2 furlongs to one mile, and has won 13 of her 18 starts in stakes company.

Although Allen had suggested he would retire Peppers Pride after her record-breaking win, Marr said she could race in the New Mexico Racing Commission Handicap at Sunland Park in mid-December.

The New Mexico Classic Cup Championship for Fillies and Mares was one of 11 state-bred races at Zia Park on November 11. Total purses of $1,850,000 makes the New Mexico Classic Cup the richest program of state-bred racing in the U.S.