HORSE RACING

New Mexico horse sets record With a victory Saturday in a 6-furlong allowance race at Zia Park in Hobbs, N.M., the New Mexico thoroughbred Peppers Pride put herself into the record books. She has now won 17 times in as many starts, setting a modern North American record.

Peppers Pride has raced exclusively in New Mexico against state-bred females, been ridden in every victory by jockey Carlos Madiera and has never raced on an off track.

Before Saturday, Peppers Pride shared the mark of 16 victories in a row with Triple Crown winner Citation, two-time Horse of the Year Cigar, Mister Frisky and Hallowed Dreams.

Breeders' Cup qualifiers abound At Belmont Park: Vineyard Haven and Sky Diva won $400,000 "Win and You're In" Breeders' Cup qualifying races. Vineyard Haven, ridden by Edgar Prado, won the Champagne by 5¾ lengths over Munnings and paid $10.40 to win. Sky Diva, ridden by Ramon Dominguez, won the Frizette for fillies by 3¾ lengths over even-money favorite Persistently and paid $13.20.

At Keeneland: Jockey Robby Albarado guided Thorn Song to victory in the $600,000 Shadwell Turf Mile in a swift 1:43. Thorn Song paid $8.40. Albarado, aboard favorite Indyanne, also won the Grade III Thoroughbred Club of America Stakes. In the other Grade I, the $500,000 Lane's End Breeders' Futurity, Rafael Bejarano rode to a runaway victory aboard Square Eddie, which paid $20.20.

At Woodbine: Marsh Side, a 25-1 long shot ridden by Javier Castellano, won the $2 million Canadian International turf race, a "Win and You're In" qualifier and Canada's richest thoroughbred event. Marsh Side paid $61.20.

Jankovic, Petrova reach final Jelena Jankovic beat Venus Williams and reached the Porsche Grand Prix final against Nadia Petrova in Stuttgart, Germany. Jankovic, who will be ranked No. 1 on Monday, overcame a painful broken toenail that required two painkilling shots for a 6-7 (8), 7-5, 6-2 victory over the Wimbledon champion. Petrova gained the final with a 6-4, 6-4 victory over Victoria Azarenka of Belarus.

Angry Armstrong fights back When told that Jean-Etienne Amaury, the new president of the Tour de France, had implied he had embarrassed the race, seven-time winner Lance Armstrong reacted angrily.

Armstrong, who hopes to seek an eighth Tour victory next summer, said: "The last time I checked I won the tour seven straight years and was never once found to be guilty of doping despite seven years of intense scrutiny. Not to mention that my team of 25 riders over those seven years was also never found to be positive. We won clean and fair.

"Also, according to industry standards, TV ratings, worldwide media impressions, spectators along the route, and global sponsorships were at an all-time high. Where's the embarrassment in that?"

MLS: Alecko Eskandarian had a goal and an assist as visiting Chivas (11-10-6) notched a 3-0 victory over D.C. United (10-14-3). ... In East Rutherford, N.J., Chad Barrett's two goals lifted Toronto FC (8-12-7) to a 3-1 victory over the New York Red Bulls (9-10-8). ... In Columbus, Ohio, Alejandro Moreno's ninth goal of the season lifted the Crew (16-6-5) to a 1-0 victory over the Los Angeles Galaxy (7-12-8). ... In Foxborough, Mass., goals by Steve Ralston and Taylor Twellman helped New England (12-8-7) salvage a 2-2 tie with Real Salt Lake (9-10-8).

Football: Craig Fertig, the record-setting quarterback for USCa who later became the Trojans' TV voice, died Saturday of kidney failure at Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian in Newport Beach, USC athletic director Mike Garrett said. Fertig was 66.