Barn Tour: DeVaux updates on 13 runners in her stable

Cherie DeVaux had the best year of her career in 2023, with $5.5 million in earnings – more than double the previous year.

She appears on her way to an even better result this year, judging by her Friday at Pimlico, when she won three stakes on her way to picking up a $50,000 bonus offered to horsemen for their participation in stakes races over Preakness weekend.

And it’s early days for her steadily growing stable.

“I think a lot of trainers have more quiet winters, gearing up for what we hope is a good spring and keep it going into the summer and fall,” DeVaux told Horse Racing Nation on Monday. “So it's by design that the stable's peaking now.”

DeVaux said she has about 100 horses in training now. “I'm about where I'm comfortable. I think by the time it's all said and done, we'll be at about 115 when all the babies come in. So really, any space I have is pretty much spoken for.”

About those babies, “I have a really big group of 2-year olds, and some of them are showing promise early. I don't really go into who I'm most excited about because once I do they get hurt. But it's a good, well-rounded group we've got. It looks like there's some speedy precocious ones, individuals that are pretty far along for me right now.

“We have a half to Arabian Knight. He's not in yet, but he's by Quality Road. He's a big, two-turn, dirt-looking colt. So a couple that on paper are exciting. And we'll just have to see how they develop.”

DeVaux provided updates on top horses in her stable for the latest in HRN’s Barn Tour series.

Pyrenees. This 4-year-old Into Mischief colt was one of the three stakes wins Friday for DeVaux, scoring in the Grade 3 Pimlico Special. He broke his maiden in December after being off for nearly a year and is 3-for-3 since. “Pyrenees came out of the Pimlico Special in great order. He can handle the classic distances, as shown, so we don't have a race per se on the calendar. We were just trying to see how he handled the step up. And the Stephen Foster (G1) we have at the end of June. But if he needs more time, then we can definitely point him to something more in the summer.”

She Feels Pretty. The 3-year-old daughter of Karakontie won by 5 3/4 lengths in Friday’s black-type Hilltop in her 2024 debut. She was 2-for-3 last year, with a third-place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf. “The goal for her was definitely the series this summer in New York. So she got back to the races, she ran awesome. So that's what we're really pointing her toward.” The series starts with the Belmont Oaks Invitational (G1) on July 6 during the Belmont meet at Saratoga.

Shotgun Hottie. The 5-year-old daughter of Gun Runner won by 5 3/4 lengths in the listed Allaire DuPont Distaff Stakes on Friday. After winning the Molly Pitcher (G3) last July, she took off the rest of the year and came back with an 0-for-3 record in graded stakes before winning Friday. “She's one that’s racing herself into shape. So she's peaking. Her form cycle shows that she's back into her best form. Her goal is the Molly Pitcher. So we'll get her back. She's run four races right in a row. There is the Fleur de Lis (G2) at the end of June at Churchill. If she's ready for that, then maybe that's what we target. If not, we'll just train on into the Molly Pitcher.”

Vahva. The 4-year-old Gun Runner filly won the Derby City Distaff (G1) on the Kentucky Derby undercard after opening her 2024 season with a close second in the Madison (G1). She closed out 2023 with wins in the Charles Town Oaks (G3) and Raven Run (G2). “Vahva's doing really well. Her main goals this year are the Ballerina (G1) and the Breeders' Cup. She trains well into races with targets. So right now we have the Chicago. It's a Grade 3, but it's at Churchill, where she likes, and that's what we're pointing toward right now.”

Beatbox. This 6-year-old son of Pioneerof the Nile won the Fair Grounds (G3) in February but was fourth in the Muniz Memorial (G2) next out and eighth in the Dinner Party (G3) on Saturday. “Beatbox didn't seem to appreciate the heavy turf (at Pimlico). So he looks fine, he came out of it fine. We're just going to regroup with him. We don't really have anything particular on the horizon for him.”

Pipeline. The 6-year-old son of Speightstown won a Keeneland allowance in April, then returned to graded company and finished eighth in the Alysheba (G2) on May 3. “Pipeline's an interesting one. We might try to run him back in an allowance race. … He ran his best race with a lot of time and less training. I backed off on him. And he really ran well that time at Keeneland. So we're just going to give him some time for his next start.”

Blissful. The 5-year-old Empire Maker mare tried her first graded stakes Saturday and finished fourth in the Gallorette (G3). “Blissful stepped up in stakes company, and again the track conditions were not ideal. So she's one, just really trying to get the black type on. So we'll probably just look for an overnight stake for her somewhere close in Kentucky or around Kentucky.”

Tower Bridge. The 4-year-old daughter of Street Sense tried two graded stakes after winning a Turfway Park allowance, finishing sixth in the Orchid (G3) and fourth in the Bewitch (G2). “Tower Bridge is entering the Keertana. She's just a filly that just doesn't ever get tired. So we'll try her in the Keertana.” The listed stakes is Saturday at Churchill Downs.

More Than Looks. The 4-year-old son of More than Ready was unraced as a 2-year-old and went 8: 4-1-1 last year, counting the Manila (G3) among his wins. He took a break after finishing sixth in the Breeders’ Cup Mile, worked in the winter but has had no published works since March. “He just started back galloping this week. He had injured himself in the stall the other day when he was entered at Fair Grounds in an allowance race. So he's back galloping, and hopefully we'll see him in the summer.”

Northern Invader. The 4-year-old Collected colt got his third career win in a Keeneland allowance in April. He’s being pointed to the Arlington (G3) at Churchill Downs on June 1.

Cagliostro. The 4-year-old Upstart colt broke his maiden in January 2023 and then went on an 0-for-6 streak that included a second and third in graded stakes. He returned from a seven-month break in April and won a Keeneland allowance. “Cagliostro is also doing well. We're pointing him towards the Blame Stakes at Churchill (G3).”

Brilliant Berti. The 3-year-old son of Noble Mission broke his maiden at Churchill Downs in May on his second try. “Brilliant Berti is an exciting prospect. We'll run him back in an allowance race at Churchill.”

Sy B. This 3-year-old English Channel filly broke her maiden at Keeneland in April on her third try. “Sy B is one that looks like she can really handle the longer distances, and she was very impressive in her last race at Keeneland. We have her pointing towards the Wonder Again (G2, Monday). It's hard to find allowance races that go the route of ground that she needs. So we're going to try her there.”