By Christina BossinakisLiving up to her 8-5 odds, Maria Louise (f, 3, Gun Runner–Stopchargingmaria, by Tale of the Cat) came from just off the pace to graduate in her belated career opener at the Spa on Wednesday afternoon. Maria Louise settled right behind 10-1 chance Empress New Groove (Seeking the Soul) through opening splits of :23.56 and :46.44. Ready to go turning for home, the favorite collared the pacesetter and drew off to score by 2 1/4 lengths over Noble Glow (Gun Runner). MARIA LOUISE (f, 3, Gun Runner–Stopchargingmaria {MGISW, $3,014,000}, by Tale of the Cat) Sales history: $850,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP. O-Epic Horses LLC & Town and Country Racing LLC; B-Three Chimneys Farm, LLC & Whisper Hill Farm, LLC (KY); T-Todd A. Pletcher.