John Wich
If you are a fan of horse racing, you must have heard of Interstatedaydream, the 4-year-old Ontario-bred filly who has won five races out of 10 starts, including two graded stakes. She is one of the most promising horses in the sport right now, and she owes a lot of her success to Allaire duPont, a pioneer and a visionary in the horse industry.
Who was Allaire duPont?
Allaire duPont was a passionate sportswoman and horsewoman who was born into a wealthy family in 1913. She inherited a fortune from her grandfather, who founded the DuPont chemical company, and used it to pursue her interests in aviation, sailing, skiing, and of course, horse racing.
She was best known as the owner of Kelso, one of the greatest racehorses of all time. Kelso won five consecutive Horse of the Year titles from 1960 to 1964, a feat that has never been matched or surpassed. He also set several track and world records during his career, and earned more than $1.9 million in purses.
Allaire duPont was not only a successful owner, but also a generous benefactor and a respected leader in the horse industry. She donated land and money to various equine organizations and causes, such as the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, and the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation. She also served as the president of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association and the Maryland Horse Breeders Association.
Allaire duPont died in 2006 at the age of 92, leaving behind a legacy of excellence and class that inspired generations of horse lovers.
How did Interstatedaydream follow her footsteps?
Interstatedaydream is a direct descendant of Kelso, as she shares his sire line through his son Your Host. She also inherited his talent and tenacity, as she proved in her recent victory in the $100,000 Allaire du Pont Distaff at Pimlico Race Course on May 19, 2023.
The race was named after Allaire duPont to honor her contributions to the sport. It was also the same course and distance where Interstatedaydream won her first stakes race in 2022, the Black-Eyed Susan (G2), a prestigious race for 3-year-old fillies.
In the Allaire du Pont Distaff, Interstatedaydream faced five rivals, including Falconet, a multiple stakes winner who had beaten her twice before. Interstatedaydream took the lead from the start and set moderate fractions under jockey Florent Geroux. She was challenged by Falconet and Misty Veil on the turn for home, but she dug in gamely and held off Misty Veil by half a length at the wire. Falconet faded to fourth, while Le Da Vida finished third.
It was a triumphant return to Pimlico for Interstatedaydream and her connections: trainer Brad Cox, owner Flurry Racing Stables, and jockey Florent Geroux. They all praised her performance and her courage in fighting off her rivals.
“She’s just so classy,” Geroux said. “She always tries hard and gives you everything she has.”
What’s next for Interstatedaydream?
Interstatedaydream has now earned $637,200 in her career, and she has established herself as one of the top older fillies and mares in North America. She has shown versatility and consistency on different tracks and distances, and she has faced some of the best horses in her division.
Her next target could be the $500,000 Ogden Phipps (G1) at Belmont Park on June 10, 2023. The race is part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series, which means that the winner will earn an automatic berth to the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) at Del Mar on November 4, 2023.
The Breeders’ Cup Distaff is one of the most prestigious races for fillies and mares in the world. It would be a fitting goal for Interstatedaydream, who has already proven herself as a worthy successor to Allaire duPont’s class and Kelso’s greatness.
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