BALTIMORE, MD., 05/15/15  – Asserting her class as a Grade 1 winner, favored Stopchargingmaria took the lead in the last of nine furlongs and cruised home a four-length winner in the 22^nd running of the $150,000 Allaire DuPont Distaff Stakes (G3) at Pimlico Race Course.

A 4-year-old daughter of Tale of the Cat, Stopchargingmaria ($3.20) ran 1 1/8 miles in 1:50.38 over a fast main track, giving Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez his third victory of the day. It was also his third career DuPont victory, including last year with Summer Applause. 

Trained by Todd Pletcher for Repole Stable, Stopchargingmaria was reserved in the early stages behind a pace of 23.22 seconds, 45.53 and 1:11.25 set by Yahilwa. Racing between horses, the winner began to pull away past the eighth pole while Yahilwa was a determined second over fast-closing long shot Joint Return. 

The DuPont was just the second start in eight months for Stopchargingmaria, winner of last year’s Black-Eyed Susan (G2) at Pimlico who went on to capture the Coaching Club American Oaks (G1) and Alabama (G1). Pletcher also won the DuPont in 2006 with Pool Land and 2011 with Super Espresso.

ALLAIRE DUPONT DISTAFF STAKES QUOTES

Winning Trainer Todd Pletcher (Stopchargingmaria): “She had a really good work last week at Belmont for this race. It was as good as I had ever seen her. She got away bad and I was a little worried, but when I saw the fast fractions, I figured we would be OK. I’m not sure what’s next. 

Winning Jockey John Velazquez (Stopchargingmaria): “I wasn’t exactly where I wanted to be. She stumbled a bit coming out of there. Once we cleared everyone, it was pretty easy.”

Trainer James Cassidy (Yahilwa, 2^nd): “She's got a heart of gold. She tries every time. It's a shame we had to get into such a (speed duel), but the last time, she stumbled leaving there, so we didn't have to worry about it too much. This time, she broke really good. Rather than fighting her, there's no sense in fighting her. She ran great.''

Jockey Victor Espinoza (Yahilwa, 2^nd): “She ran awesome. She was trying really hard at the end. That was a big race for her. I tried to rate her a little bit on the turn, but she got a little bit strong, and I didn't want to take her out of the race. From that point, it would be best just to let her go. If I started fighting her, she might not finish. But she still ran an unbelievable race.''

Jockey Kendrick Carmouche (Joint Return, 3^rd): “I thought my filly ran really good today. She had a pretty good break and I let her settle and make her normal run. I was laying behind Stopchargingmaria, figuring she would be the horse to beat, so I followed her.”

Trainer Larry Jones (Blue Violet, 4^th): “We had a good trip. No excuses. She just kind of leveled out. There were some good horses in this race that can run. (Joint Return) can run too. I’ve chased her at Delaware Park.”