Horse Race Preview: Race 5 – Peppers Pride Stakes at Sunland Park

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Race Overview

The Peppers Pride Stakes is scheduled for Sunday, February 15, 2026, at Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino in Sunland Park, New Mexico. This venue, located near the borders of Texas and Mexico just outside El Paso, features a one-mile dirt oval and is renowned for its winter racing season, including major Kentucky Derby preps like the Sunland Derby. The track’s dirt surface often favors speed, especially in routes, but can play fair to closers if the pace is honest.

The race is Race 5 on a 10-race card highlighted by the $500,000 Sunland Derby, with a scheduled post time of 2:13 PM MT (4:13 PM ET). It’s restricted to 3-year-old New Mexico-bred fillies, contested over one mile on dirt, with a purse of $100,000 (including $50,000 from the New Mexico Horse Breeders Association). All horses carry 121 lbs, and Lasix is not permitted. This stakes honors Peppers Pride, the undefeated New Mexico-bred legend with 19 straight wins. The field of 10 includes multiple stakes performers, with trainers Todd Fincher (five entrants) and Dick Cappellucci bringing strong hands.

Expected weather conditions in Sunland Park on February 15, based on forecasts, include mostly cloudy skies with a high of 73°F and a low around 40°F. Winds from the west at 8 mph, humidity around 24%, and a low chance of precipitation (under 10%). The track should be fast and dry, with no major weather impacts, though the clouds could keep temperatures mild and favor horses with stamina in the stretch.

The race shape suggests a competitive pace, with several speed types likely to vie early. Equipment note: Only #2 Desert Following adds blinkers, which could sharpen her focus.

Field Analysis (By Post Position)

  1. I Am Paula Revere (NM)
    1. Post Position: 1
    1. Morning Line Odds: 2/1
    1. Jockey: Olaf Hernandez (local rider with a 15% win rate at Sunland; patient style suits inside draws, strong in routes).
    1. Trainer: Todd W. Fincher (leading trainer at the meet with ~25% wins; dominates New Mexico-bred stakes, five entrants here show his depth).
    1. Breeding: American Anthem – Little Red Rider (by Limehouse). Sire brings class from his graded wins, dam adds precocity and dirt affinity.
    1. Recent Finishes: One win from four starts, earnings over $61,000. Last out: Narrow 2nd in the La Senora Stakes (6f dirt, fast) at Sunland last month (January 2026), Equibase Speed Figure (ESF) 91, closing strongly despite traffic. Prior: Debut win in maiden special weight (5 1/2f dirt, fast) at Zia Park in November 2025. Track conditions: Fast dirt in all starts.
    1. Analysis: Second choice on the line, and the rail suits her tactical speed—can save ground and rally. Fincher’s hot barn and her improving form make her a threat. Pedigree suggests she’ll handle the mile stretch-out well. If the track stays fast, her closing kick could prevail; a top contender for the win.
  2. Desert Following (NM)
    1. Post Position: 2
    1. Morning Line Odds: 30/1
    1. Jockey: Enrique Portillo Gomez (versatile with 12% wins; good at rating horses in mid-pack).
    1. Trainer: Simon J. Buechler (solid with state-breds, ~10% wins; focuses on longshots in stakes).
    1. Breeding: Abstraction – Follow the Smoke (by Desert God). Sire offers stamina, dam brings local dirt speed.
    1. Recent Finishes: Lightly raced with lower figures. Last out: Distant finish in allowance (6f dirt, fast) at Sunland in January 2026, ESF 69. Prior: Maiden claimer efforts at Zia Park in late 2025, showing some early pace but fading. Track conditions: Fast dirt.
    1. Analysis: Outsider odds reflect modest form, but blinkers on could help her focus and press early from the good inside post. Pedigree leans toward routes, so the mile might suit if she settles. Buechler’s barn occasionally upsets; exotic filler if pace melts down, but needs big improvement.
  3. Who Said It’s Easy (NM)
    1. Post Position: 3
    1. Morning Line Odds: 12/1
    1. Jockey: Oscar Andrade, Jr. (aggressive rider, 14% wins; excels with speed types in state-bred races).
    1. Trainer: Todd W. Fincher (see above; his second entrant adds depth).
    1. Breeding: Sporting Chance – L. A. Coliseum (by Bodemeister). Sire imparts grit, dam adds route influence.
    1. Recent Finishes: Competitive but winless in stakes tries. Last out: Mid-pack in allowance optional claiming (6 1/2f dirt, fast) at Sunland in January 2026. Prior: Placings in maiden/allowance at Zia Park in 2025. ESFs around 80-85. Track conditions: Fast dirt.
    1. Analysis: Value at 12/1 from a stalking post. Fincher’s prep could have her peaking, and pedigree suggests upside at a mile. If cloudy conditions tire frontrunners, her steady style fits. Worth including in exotics.
  4. Unwound (NM)
    1. Post Position: 4
    1. Morning Line Odds: 15/1
    1. Jockey: Christian Ramos (up-and-coming with 13% wins; strong closer).
    1. Trainer: Simon J. Buechler (see above; his second string).
    1. Breeding: Kentucky Wildcat – Twisted (by Midnight Lute). Sire brings versatility, dam adds speed edge.
    1. Recent Finishes: Improving from lower levels. Last out: Rallying effort in maiden special weight (6f dirt, fast) at Sunland in December 2025. Prior: Debuts and claims with ESFs 70-75. Track conditions: Fast dirt.
    1. Analysis: Longshot but with tactical options from mid-pack draw. Buechler’s patience might yield a board hit. Pedigree handles distance; mild winds favor closers like her. Exotic potential.
  5. Day At A Time (NM)
    1. Post Position: 5
    1. Morning Line Odds: 9/2
    1. Jockey: Luis A. Valenzuela (veteran with 18% wins; tactical in routes).
    1. Trainer: Todd W. Fincher (see above; third entrant).
    1. Breeding: Marking – Annis (by Texas Glitter). Sire offers stamina, dam precocious speed.
    1. Recent Finishes: Broke maiden impressively last out: 1st in maiden special weight (6f dirt, fast) at Sunland in January 2026, winning by daylight. Prior: Competitive seconds in similar spots at Zia Park. ESFs climbing to 85+. Track conditions: Fast dirt.
    1. Analysis: Third choice at 9/2, fresh off a maiden romp, suggesting she’s ready for stakes. Post allows stalking; Fincher’s magic with young fillies shines. If pace sets up, her kick wins; strong value play.
  6. American Prada (NM)
    1. Post Position: 6
    1. Morning Line Odds: 6/1
    1. Jockey: Orlando Mojica (experienced with 16% wins; good finisher).
    1. Trainer: Todd W. Fincher (see above; fourth entrant).
    1. Breeding: American Anthem – Dressed in Prada (by Eskendereya). Sire class, dam route talent.
    1. Recent Finishes: Solid progression. Last out: In-the-money in allowance (6 1/2f dirt, fast) at Sunland. Prior: Maiden win at Zia Park. ESFs 80-90. Track conditions: Fast dirt.
    1. Analysis: Intriguing at 6/1 with outside stalking post. Fincher’s barn firing; pedigree screams mile. Mostly cloudy weather suits her even pace. Contender for the board.
  7. Holy Miss (NM)
    1. Post Position: 7
    1. Morning Line Odds: 20/1
    1. Jockey: Francisco Amparan (local with 11% wins; patient with longshots).
    1. Trainer: Bart G. Hone (consistent ~12% wins; develops state-breds).
    1. Breeding: Holy Lute – Point to Point (by Point of Entry). Sire speed, dam stamina.
    1. Recent Finishes: Upset potential. Last out: Competitive in stakes prep (6f dirt, fast) at Zia Park. Prior: Allowance efforts. ESFs 75-80. Track conditions: Fast dirt.
    1. Analysis: Outsider but Hone’s prep could surprise. Wide post requires rally; pedigree fits distance. If frontrunners fade, she’s live for exotics.
  8. Marka (NM)
    1. Post Position: 8
    1. Morning Line Odds: 20/1
    1. Jockey: Christian A. Torres (talented 15% wins; aggressive).
    1. Trainer: Todd W. Fincher (see above; fifth entrant).
    1. Breeding: Marking – Tilla Cat (by Attila’s Storm). Sire durability, dam sprint speed.
    1. Recent Finishes: Building form. Last out: Placement in allowance (7f dirt, fast) at Sunland. Prior: Maiden/claimer wins. ESFs 70-85. Track conditions: Fast dirt.
    1. Analysis: Longshot in Fincher’s army, but post suits closing style. Pedigree may stretch; value underneath if pace hot.
  9. Caprock Cutie (NM)
    1. Post Position: 9
    1. Morning Line Odds: 9/5
    1. Jockey: Alfredo J. Juarez, Jr. (top rider with 20% wins; stakes specialist).
    1. Trainer: Dick Cappellucci (hot streak, ~22% wins; defending champ from 2025).
    1. Breeding: Marking – Katie the Cutie (by Afleet Express). Sire class, dam adds heart.
    1. Recent Finishes: Two wins from six starts, $116,000 earnings. Last out: 4th in La Senora Stakes (6f dirt, fast) at Sunland in January 2026, closing well. Before: 1st in Lea County Stakes (6f dirt, fast) at Zia Park on December 16, 2025, by 4 1/2 lengths, ESF 95. Track conditions: Fast dirt.
    1. Analysis: Deserving favorite at 9/5 from wide post, but Juarez can navigate. Cappellucci’s form (leads standings) and her stakes win make her the one to beat. Handles mile; fast track favors her.
  10. Desert Hope (NM)
    1. Post Position: 10
    1. Morning Line Odds: 20/1
    1. Jockey: Jorge M. Vazquez (reliable 13% wins; good with outsiders).
    1. Trainer: Jose A. Gonzalez (steady ~10% wins; value plays).
    1. Breeding: Abstraction – Desert Stepper (by Desert God). Sire stamina, dam local speed.
    1. Recent Finishes: Modest but improving. Last out: Rally in allowance (6 1/2f dirt, fast) at Sunland. Prior: Maiden efforts at Zia. ESFs 65-75. Track conditions: Fast dirt.
    1. Analysis: Widest draw hurts, but Gonzalez’s prep could yield a late run. Pedigree suits; superfecta longshot.