Capp the Power sprinted to the lead at the start and led thereafter for a 3 1/4 -length victory in the 16th running of the $100,000 Geisha Handicap at Pimlico yesterday.

Capp the Power completed 1 1/16 miles in 1 minute, 45 3/5 seconds with jockey Michael Luzzi, whose 52nd win at Pimlico this spring gave him one more win than runner-up Edgar Prado.

McKilts finished second by two lengths over Miss Protege, as Valay Maid, the even money favorite in the field of seven Maryland-bred fillies and mares, finished sixth.

Capp the Power paid $9.80, $4.80 and $3.60. McKilts paid $5.20 and $5.20, and Miss Protege paid $5. The 4-6 exacta was worth $39.60.

"I had a lot of horse under, relaxed, galloping down the backstretch," Luzzi said. "I tapped her on the shoulder a little bit and she finished strong."

Capp the Power earned $60,000 for her first stakes victory for owner-breeder C. Oliver Goldsmith of Harwood.