Marka scores upset win in $100,000 Peppers Pride Stakes
SUNLAND PARK — Marka, one of five starters in the 16th running of the $100,000 Peppers Pride Stakes for trainer Todd Fincher, scored a convincing upset win under jockey Cristian Torres in the one-mile event for New Mexico-bred 3-year-old fillies.
Owned and bred by Robert M. and Del Rae Driggers and Ben Lee Ivey, Marka raced behind a moderate pace down the backstretch before launching her bid midway around the far turn. The daughter of Marking quickly took command at the furlong pole and won by 4 1-2 lengths, stopping the clock in 1 minute, 38.72 seconds.
Marka came into the Peppers Pride Stakes as a maiden after her two prior starts. Her win puts her lifetime earnings at more than $63,000.
Fincher, one of the top thoroughbred trainers this season, recorded his fourth stakes winner of the current meet.
Sent off at odds more than 11-to-1, Marka paid back $25.40 to win. The $2 exacta with Unwound returned $468.40. Holy Miss finished third with I Am Paula Revere rounding out the top four finishers.
Desert Following was an early scratch from the Peppers Pride Stakes, leaving the race with a field of nine starters.