Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Rose's Desert, a homebred 5-year-old daughter of Desert God racing for Joe W. Peacock, is the 2-1 morning-line favorite in Saturday's 1-mile, $85,000 Peppers Pride Handicap (R) for New Mexico-bred distaffers at Sunland Park.
Trained by Todd Fincher, Rose's Desert has won seven of 10 starts and has earned $420,825. The mare is coming off of a five-length victory in the 6-furlong, $85,000 New Mexico State Racing Commission Handicap (R) at Sunland on December 9.
Rose's Desert's six opponents include Barbara M. Coleman's Hennesey Smash, a homebred 4-year-old filly by Roll Hennessy Roll also trained by Fincher. Hennesey Smash has won five consecutive races, and she is coming off of a three-quarter length win against open company in the 5 1/2-furlong, $50,000 Bold Ego Handicap on December 22.
The complete lineup for the Peppers Pride Handicap, in post position order including jockey and weight assignments and morning-line odds – Devon's Spirit (Duane Sterling, 114), 10-1; Hennesey Smash (Alfredo Juarez Jr., 121), 5-2; Rose's Desert (Casey Lambert, 123), 2-1; Iplaytricks (Ken Tohill, 120), 5-1; Soaring Goddess (Enrique Gomez, 116), 8-1; Gossip Dome (Ry Eikleberry, 118), 4-1; and Desert Avenue (Carlos Madeira, 114), 6-1.
Also at Sunland Park, Saturday will be “Pink Day at the Races” to benefit the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation of Central New Mexico. All patrons wearing pink will be given a pink backpack, while supplies last, and the event will feature prizes, giveaways, and a silent auction.
Pink Day at the Races is being organized by Jamie Zamora, a New Mexico-based Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse trainer and breast cancer survivor. She has held similar events at other New Mexico tracks, including The Downs at Albuquerque, Ruidoso Downs, and Zia Park.
Post time for the first race at Sunland is 12:25 p.m. (MST).