Gulfstream Park: Stopshoppingmaria stretches win streak to three

After finishing second with Violence in the Fountain of Youth and Dreaming of Julia in the Grade 2 Davona Dale on Saturday, trainer Todd Pletcher got a bit of redemption the following afternoon, when Stopshoppingmaria posted a popular 1 3/4-length decision over Rosa Salvaje in the Ladies Turf Sprint. The win was the third straight at this session, all at five furlongs on the grass, for Stopshoppingmaria, who was ridden by Velazquez.

“She’s really worked out great at this meet,” Pletcher said. “We were unsure what her best distance would be, and after she won the allowance race going five furlongs, we just decided to try the next one, and she seems to be getting progressively better at it every time.”

Pletcher said he won’t rule out stretching out Stopshoppingmaria, the runner-up in both the Grade 1 Frizette and Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at 2, as far as a mile when returning to New York later this season. Stopshoppingmaria is owned by Mike Repole.