Eleven New Mexico-bred 3-year-old fillies, led by recent stakes winner American Cherub (pictured), are entered in Sunday’s 1-mile, $90,000 Peppers Pride Stakes (R) at Sunland Park.

A $31,000 yearling purchase at the 2023 New Mexico-Bred Sale at Ruidoso Downs, American Cherub will be stretching out in distance off of her nose victory in the January 16, 6-furlong La Senora Stakes (R) at Sunland Park. Dick Cappellucci trains the chestnut American Anthem filly for owners Glen Robertson and Bobby J. McQueen.

American Cherub drew the rail post and will be ridden by Elvin Gonzalez.

Jana Trotter’s Marked Kiss, a bay Marking filly trained by James Gonzales II and a $100,000 yearling buy, drew post 6 and will be ridden by Alejandro Medellin. Marked Kiss has earned $116,065 from six races, and her three wins include a 3 3/4-length victory in last year’s 5-furlong, $129,000 Rio Grande Senorita Futurity (R) at Albuquerque Downs.

Gallegos del Norte’s Sapello Samba is coming off of a second-place finish to American Cherub at odds of 52-1 in the La Senora. Martin Valdez-Cabral Jr. trains the homebred Bernster filly.

Sapello Samba drew post 3 and will be ridden by Victor Castro.