Top female sprinter Vahva got revenge on grade 1 winner Alva Starr in another enthralling renewal of their rivalry in the $1 million Derby City Distaff Stakes (G1) at Churchill Downs May 4.
After defeating Alva Starr in the Raven Run Stakes (G2) at Keeneland Oct. 21, Vahva was defeated by her nemesis in her season debut, the April 6 Madison Stakes (G1) at Keeneland. In the rubber match, it was Vahva who came out on top.
Stalking in third just about a length behind Alva Starr, Vahva got a perfect trip in the clear for jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. Following fractions of :22.36 and :45.12 set by Spirit Wind, Alva Starr pounced from her second position at the five-sixteenths pole with Vahva in hot pursuit.
With eyes trained on her rival, Ortiz drew his filly alongside at the eighth pole and drew off to prove an impressive winner, defeating Alva Starr by two lengths while completing the seven furlongs in 1:21.75 and paying $5.44 for a $2 win bet.
What a finish from Vahva in the G1 Derby City Distaff presented by Kendall-Jackson Winery! Irad Ortiz Jr. scored his third win on the card, this time for trainer Cherie DeVaux. pic.twitter.com/rLgTcBaw3R
— Churchill Downs (@ChurchillDowns) May 4, 2024
"She broke sharp," Ortiz said. "I just go with the flow, let her settle and find her stride. When it was time to go, I asked her and she was there."
Bred by Woodford Thoroughbreds, Vahva was sold by her breeder for $280,000 at the 2021 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. It was a packed winners' circle at Churchill Downs as she is owned by the partnership of Belladonna Racing, Edward Hudson Jr., West Point Thoroughbreds, LBD Stable, Nice Guys Stables, Manganaro Bloodstock, Runnels Racing, Steve Hornstock, and Twin Brook Stables.
The 4-year-old daughter of Gun Runner picked up her fifth victory in 12 career starts, pushing her career earnings to $1,578,310 while picking up her first grade 1 victory.
"I'm really pleased with her, she's a filly that means a lot to our entire team," trainer Cherie DeVaux said. "She's just one that has a nice special presence about her."
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Vahva is the fourth graded stakes winner this season for Gun Runner, who stands at Three Chimneys Farm for a fee of $250,000. Other graded winners include grade 1 winner Sierra Leone, Red Route One, and Il Miracolo.
The Derby City Distaff is part of the Breeders' Cup Dirt Dozen Bonus Series, awarding Vahva $15,000 in bonus credit to offset entry fees for the $1 million Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (G1) at Del Mar Nov. 2. Alva Starr received a credit of $7,500 for her runner-up performance and Flying Connection picked up $3,750 for finishing third.
DeVaux said the Breeders' Cup is the goal for Vahva. When asked if she would consider her star to be at the top of her division, DeVaux said "most definitely."
The Aug. 24 Ballerina Handicap (G1) at Saratoga Race Course, a Breeders' Cup Challenge Series event for the Filly and Mare Sprint, will be among Vahva's summer targets according to DeVaux.
Among the many fillies and mares in her path to Del Mar will be Alva Starr, who will look to get revenge on Vahva later on in the year.
"Everything went to plan," the runner-up's jockey Tyler Gaffalione said. "She broke sharp, but I don't think she really wants to use all that speed early. If you can wait on her, she'll have a little more of a finish. She ran her race today."
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