Churchill Downs: Vahva goes for a repeat in Chicago Stakes

Grade 1 winner Vahva is back at Churchill Downs to attempt a repeat in the 35th running of the Grade 2, $300,000 Chicago Stakes, the centerpiece of next Saturday night’s card.

The seven-furlong contest, featuring a competitive field of 11 filly and mare sprinters, headlines an 11-race program that begins at 6 p.m. EDT. The Chicago will go as race 9 at 10:11 p.m. EDT.

Vahva enjoyed a breakout 4-year-old season in 2024, beginning with a Grade I win in the Derby City Distaff on Kentucky Derby Day before returning a month later to take the Chicago Stakes by 1 1/4 lengths over Positano Sunset. Following her Chicago Stakes victory, Vahva finished third in the Ballerina Handicap (G1) at Saratoga and eighth in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (G1). Trained by Cherie DeVaux, the six-time winner races for the partnership of Belladonna Racing, Lynne Hudson, Edward Hudson Jr., West Point Thoroughbreds, Twin Brook Stables, W.S. Farish, LBD Stable, Runnels Racing and Manganaro Bloodstock. Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. will ride from post 5.

Another accomplished mare entered is Stonestreet Stables and Peter Leidel’s Zeitlos. Trained by Steve Asmussen, the 5-year-old daughter of Curlin made her seasonal debut last month with a 1 1/2-length victory in the Skipat Stakes at Pimlico. As a 4-year-old, Zeitlos captured the Thoroughbred Club of America Stakes (G2) at Keeneland, along with the Open Mind Stakes and Roxelana Stakes at Churchill Downs. Flavien Prat will ride from post 11.

The Chicago Stakes field also includes Eight Belles Stakes (G2) and Dogwood Stakes (G3) winner My Mane Squeeze, Raven Run (G2) winner Emery, Groupie Doll winner Pigalle and 2023 Spinaway (G1) winner Brightwork.