Graded stakes-winning sophomore filly Hot Peppers, who scratched from Saturday's $120,000 Garland of Roses at Aqueduct Racetrack, will attempt to end her season on a high note when shipping to Santa Anita for the $300,000 La Brea (G1) on Dec. 26.
Owned by Michael Dubb and Michael J. Caruso, Hot Peppers was triumphant in her first two starts for trainer Rudy Rodriguez, capturing the Jersey Girl and Victory Ride (G3) in wire-to-wire fashion over the summer at Belmont Park. She was only 1 1/2 lengths shy of a Grade 1 victory when second in the Aug. 6 Longines Test at Saratoga Race Course before finishing fourth as the lukewarm favorite in the Prioress (G2) on Sept. 2 over the same oval.
She initially targeted the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (G1) at Keeneland for her return, but was scratched after stepping on a stone in training and developing a bruise.
Hot Peppers, a daughter of Khozan, breezed a half-mile over the Belmont training track in :48.75 Saturday in preparation for the seven-furlong La Brea.
“She worked well yesterday and seemed to be doing well this morning, so everything is pointing that way,” Rodriguez said. “We were going to run her here because it's her home track, but the boss wants to try for some more Grade 1 black type. For her resume as a broodmare, it would make sense for us to try that. We just have to get lucky and hope for the best.”
A private purchase from previous owner and trainer Ronald Spatz following an open-lengths maiden win at Gulfstream Park, Hot Peppers remained with Spatz through her next three starts, including a pair of scores against winners at Gulfstream ahead of a troubled off-the-board effort in the Sophomore Fillies in March at Tampa Bay Downs.
Bred in Florida by Brent Fernung and Crystal Fernung, Hot Peppers is out of the Friends Lake mare Friends Pro. She has banked $392,950 and has a career line of 5-2-0 from nine starts.
The post ‘The Boss Want To Try For Some More Grade 1 Black Type’: Test Runner-Up Hot Peppers To Make Cross-Country Trip For La Brea At Santa Anita appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
