Stopchargingmaria steps up for Beldame

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Elmont, NY (Sports Network) - Alabama Stakes winner Stopchargingmaria faces older females for the first time Saturday in the $400,000 Beldame at Belmont Park.

The 1 1/8-mile stakes for fillies and mares has drawn a field of seven.

Stopchargingmaria will be ridden again by Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez from post 3 for owner Repole Stable and trainer Todd Pletcher.

Stopchargingmaria recorded her third straight win of the year with the Alabama victory and has banked $1,414,000 with six wins in 10 lifetime starts. The 3-year-old filly won the Coaching Club American Oaks at Saratoga in July after claiming the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes at Pimlico back in May.

"She's in the mix (for championship honors) now. We've got to keep winning," said Pletcher after taking the Alabama.

Here is the field for the Beldame from the rail out: Endless Chatter, Irad Ortiz Jr.; Toasting, Javier Castellano; Stopchargingmaria, John Velazquez; Stanwyck, Rajiv Maragh; Fiftyshadesofhay, Joel Rosario; Oasis At Midnight, Manuel Franco and Belle Gallantey, Jose Ortiz.

The Beldame has an approximate post time of 3 p.m. ET.