Stonestreet Stables LLC’s homebred Terra Promessa by 7 1/2 lengths in Friday’s $150,000 Allaire duPont Distaff (G3) at Pimlico on Black-Eyed Susan Day.
With jockey Jose Ortiz aboard, the four-year-old lass grabbed command of the race out of the gate and proceeded to lead all the way home through splits of :23.80, :47.13, 1:10.91 and 1:35.67. Terra Promessa finished 1 1/8 miles on the fast main track in 1:49.12 as the even-money favorite.
Carrumba followed the winner in second and filled that spot under the wire, 2 1/4 lengths up on Mo’ Green. It was another neck back to Power of Snunner, who was followed by She’s a Warrior, Winter and Serious Happiness.
Terra Promessa paid $4.20 as the even-money favorite while returning to her winning ways in this spot. The Steve Asmussen-trained daughter of Curlin finished second in the Apple Blossom Handicap (G1) and fifth in the Azeri Stakes (G2) at Oaklawn Park in her past pair. Before that, she opened the year with wins in the Pippin Stakes and Bayakoa Stakes (G3), also at Oaklawn.
The Kentucky-bred miss boasts scores in the Fantasy Stakes (G3) and Honeybee Stakes (G3) from last season. The Allaire duPont Distaff win boosted her career earnings to $836,100 and her lifetime mark now stands at 12-7-1-1.
Terra Promessa is out of the multiple stakes-winning Yes It’s True mare Missile Bay.
ALLAIRE DUPONT DISTAFF QUOTES
Steve Asmussen, trainer Terra Promessa, winner
“She’s a wonderful filly and being by Curlin it makes it special. (Jockey) Jose (Ortiz) rode her twice previously and both were wins. He knows the filly. Obviously, she’s better now than she’s ever been. Her last race against Stellar Wind was her fastest. For her to respond like this after such a demanding race speaks volumes to her personality and durability.”
Jose Ortiz, jockey Terra Promessa, winner
“I was more than happy to be in front early. I didn’t think anybody was going to go with her. I asked her to run about the three-eighths pole and I just showed her the whip in the stretch. She’s really nice.”
Robbie Medina, assistant trainer Carrumba, second
“The winner was tough. The track is very speedy today. Our filly ran good.”
Javier Castellano, jockey Carrumba, second
“The winner did it very impressive. I tried to go after and put the pressure on a little bit. When I got closer, (the winner) re-upped again and took off. I couldn’t keep up. I secured my position as second-best today, and I’m proud the way she did it.”
John Servis, trainer Mo’ Green, third
“I thought she ran okay, she just got tired. I was worried about the race when I looked at it because it had no speed and then Terra Promessa got an easy lead.”
John Velazquez, jockey Mo’ Green, third
“It was a perfect trip, but she just didn’t have it.”
