Pepper’s Pride set a modern day record of 17 consecutive wins on Saturday at Zia Park in New Mexico. The five year-old mare won an allowance race over 1200 metres. It was a field of six. Pepper’s Pride, ridden by Carlos Madeira, sat third and in range of the pacesetter. Charging three-wide into the final turn, Pepper’s Pride, the 2/10 favourite, drew clear in the stretch to win by one and a quarter lengths.

Trainer Joel Marr was delighted. “I feel great. She had a layoff but trained well. It was more a mental issue than physical.”

Carlos Madeira, the winning rider, said, “She had a little time off and we wanted to come back good. It is a thrill. I can’t explain. I am still numb.”

Let us take stock of stakes action on Saturday in North America. Thorn Song made it all in Keeneland’s Shadwell Turf Mile. The five year-old Unbridled’s Song progeny was rated cleverly by Robbie Albarado. The 3-1 favourite, Thorn Song, trained by Dale Romans, clocked 1 34.97. Thorn Song now has a berth in the Breeders’ Cup Mile.

Jockey Albarado talked about his victory. “He (Thorn Song) has high cruising speed. Dale (Romans) wanted me to take the lead and open up by two. He was doing it within himself. I was confident.”

Square Eddie, trainer Doug O’Neill’s recent acquisition, was an easy winner in Keeneland’s Lane’s End Breeders’ Futurity on Saturday. A 9-1 chance, Square Eddie, a Smart Strike colt and a transplant from England, drew away in the lane to win by four and three quarter lengths. Square Eddie will go next in the BC at Santa Anita.

Winning jockey Rafael Bejarano said, “I was very comfortable in the race. I was right next to the speed. I felt like I had a lot of horse at the final turn. He gave me everything.”

At Woodbine in Toronto, Marsh Side, a 20-1 chance, won the Canadian International going away. Trained by Neil Drysdale and ridden by Javier Catellano, Marsh Side beat Spice Route, a 39-1 chance. The 2400-metre race on firm turf was run in 2 28.73. Marsh Side, a five year-old, is by Gone West.

Doctor Dino, the 12-10 public choice, could not deliver a blow and finished fifth. Champs Elysees had every chance as the race developed and could do no better than take third.

Frankie Dettori did not leave Toronto empty-handed. He won the richly-endowed E P Taylor Stakes with Folk Opera. Dettori set the pace and kept going when challenged in the last 400 metres. Folk Opera’s sire is Singspiel. Saeed Bin Suroor trains Folk Opera.

Trainer Suroor commented on Dettori’s ride. “I thought that Folk Opera was a little fresh. Frankie had her settle down and do her best. It was a masterful ride.”

News in Paris is changing the complexion of the Arc in fundamental ways. There was heavy rain late last night and into early hours of Sunday. The skies are overcast. It is a damp day in the City of Lights. The going will be soft-perhaps the worse side of soft. Alain de Royer-Dupre, Zarkava’s trainer, made a statement to the BBC. “Zarkava is a doubtful starter. It is going to be very soft. We are not sure if she will run. It is a catastrophe for a young filly who has such strong acceleration. If there is more rain. It’s impossible. I will monitor the track when the undercard is run.”

The Arc program at Longchamp starts at 1:45 P M. There are eight races. The Arc is the sixth race at 4:40 PM. Trainer Dupre will have enough time and enough evidence to come to a decision.

The Prix Abbaye, a 1000-metre race, will be run on a straight course on the far side of the course. Marchand D’Or, a prolific Group I winner this year, carries the public purse. Dave Bonilla rides and Freddie Head trains.

The Prix Marcel will find Again, an Aidan O’Brien trainee, garner most support. The unbeaten Copperbeech, to be ridden by Frankie Dettori, should have a following.

Mastercraftsman will be the rage in the Prix Lagardiere. The Irish invader is going for five wins in a row. John Murtagh rides Mastercraftsman.

Lush Lashes, from Jim Bolger’s yard in Ireland, will be favoured in the Prix l’Opera. Lush Lashes is in burning form. Kevin Manning has the riding assignment. Lush Lashes won the Coronation Cup at Royal Ascot.

Sixteen will go postward in the Arc. Given the weather forecast, I believe the underfoot conditions will help Soldier Of Fortune. Seamus Heffernan won the Group I Sun Chariot at Newmarket on Saturday. He comes to Paris with his ‘confidence level’ high. I will have a wager on the Soldier. He has been prepared for the Arc and the process has been without a hitch. Jockey Heffernan wins a lot of races but seldom finds a place in the headlines. That may change this afternoon.

A Mastercraftsman-Soldier of Fortune parlay is what I intend to do.