Zipse: Shopper's Revenge is a Louisiana Derby upset threat

In one of the more controversial finishes in the history of the Breeders' Cup, Stopchargingmaria beat Stellar Wind to the wire and then survived a serious look by the stewards to win the 2015 edition of the Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1).

She raced two more times after the big victory, but for all intents and purposes, that was the culmination of an excellent career for the daughter of Tale of the Cat. It’s been more than seven years since her biggest career victory, and now Stopchargingmaria could be ready to make another big splash, this time as a broodmare.

Still a relative unknown, Shopper’s Revenge will look to emulate his well-known momma when he enters Saturday’s Louisiana Derby (G2) as an interesting long shot.

The gray son of Tapit will break from the rail under Ricardo Santana Jr. and is 12-1 on the morning line. The odds seem fair for a horse who will make his stakes debut in a million-dollar race. He is certainly unproven but would appear to have a ton of upside. 

Stopchargingmaria lived up to her potential and then some nearly a decade ago. After winning by more than five lengths at Saratoga in her career debut, her final 17 races all were graded stakes.

Among her eight graded-stakes wins was a three-race winning streak that included the Black-Eyed Susan (G2), Coaching Club American Oaks (G1), and Alabama (G1).

In the second of the three, the Todd Pletcher-trained filly looked the part of a champion in her romp at the Spa.

When it was all said and done, the popular mare won exactly half of her 18 lifetime starts. Second in four other races, she earned just a shade over $3 million.

Although never awarded an Eclipse Award, she was a multiple graded-stakes winner in each of her first three seasons on the racetrack.Taken to auction five times during her first seven years of life, her value continued to rise.

Two years after her retirement from racing in 2016, Mandy Pope shelled out a pretty penny to welcome Stopchargingmaria into her broodmare band. The Breeders’ Cup winner went for $4.4 million at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky fall mixed sale of 2018.

As for Shopper's Revenge, the Steve Asmussen-trained homebred for Whisper Hill Farm and Three Chimneys Farm has looked like a potential stakes horse in each of his three lifetime starts.

The third foal of Stopchargingmaria is likely destined to be better as he matures and runs longer.Shopper's Revenge has only one win and two seconds to date, but his maiden win two starts back was impressive, and his second-place finish last time in allowance company is easily forgivable.

Clearly the Louisiana Derby will be a big test for the one-time winner, but he looks like a colt on the verge of a big move forward for his Hall of Fame trainer.

The most important Kentucky Derby prep at Fair Grounds is a wide-open affair with several potential winners, but I believe Shopper’s Revenge has a big shot.

Like mother like son? Stay tuned for this one, race fans.