Imported three-year-old bay colt Pepper Stepper secured promotion to Overnight Allowance on Saturday, September 5, after capturing a five-furlong round contest in 59.2 seconds.
The victory marked his third win in six career starts, exhausting his conditions under local racing rules.
Bred by Tunwoo out of Ribbing and conditioned by trainer Jason DaCosta, the speedy foreigner entered the local ranks in the non-winners-of-two category. While homebred thoroughbreds are permitted four wins starting from maiden status before advancing to Overnight Allowance, non-two imported runners must clear their conditions in three victories. The only exception for foreigners is in the two-year-old category where sometimes there are special races when foreigners can race as maidens.
Ridden by jockey Robert Halledeen, Pepper Stepper broke alertly from the gates and established an immediate lead.
Approaching the home turn, the colt extended his advantage to more than three lengths over the field. Unlike previous outings where he faded in the closing stages, Pepper Stepper sustained his effort through the lane to pass the wire 3 ¾ lengths clear of his nearest rival.
The performance brought Pepper Stepper’s career earnings past the $2.3 million mark. All six of the colt's career starts have been at distances of 5 ½ furlongs or shorter.
DaCosta has opted against an extended rest period, entering the colt for his Overnight Allowance debut on Saturday, September 12, where he is scheduled to compete over five furlongs straight.
| Horse | Pepper Stepper (3-year-old Bay Colt) |
| Pedigree | Tunwoo – Ribbing (USA) |
| Trainer / Jockey | Jason DaCosta / Robert Halledeen |
| Career Record | 6 Starts: 3 Wins |
| Career Earnings | Over $2.3 Million |
| Latest Win | Sept 5, 2026 – 5 Furlongs Round (59.2s) |
| Next Race | Sept 12, 2026 – Overnight Allowance (5 Furlongs Straight) |
