Churchill Downs: Vahva rebounds in Chicago Stakes

Vahva, winner of last year’s Chicago Stakes at Churchill Downs but winless in three subsequent starts, regained her top form Saturday night in the 35th renewal of the Grade 2, $298,250 sprint for fillies and mares by out-finishing Claret Beret down the stretch to win the seven-furlong test by three-quarters of a length.

Irad Ortiz Jr. rode Vahva to victory for trainer Cherie DeVaux and the ownership group comprised of Belladonna Racing, Lynne Hudson, Edward J. Hudson Jr., West Point Thoroughbreds, Twin Brook Stables, W.S. Farish, LBD Stable, Runnels Racing and Manganaro Bloodstock. She ran seven furlongs over a fast track in a swift 1:20.89.

The victory was worth $178,800 and boosted Vahva’s earnings to $1,991,010 with a record of 17: 7-3-3.

This was the 5-year-old mare’s fifth stakes win and fifth win in six starts at Churchill Downs. One year ago, she scored a 1 1/4-length victory in the Chicago (then a Grade 3 event) following her two-length win in the Derby City Distaff (G1). As a 3-year-old, she won the $750,000 Charles Town Oaks (G3) before landing the $350,000 Raven Run (G2).

In her last three starts, Vahva finished third as the even-money favorite in the $500,000 Ballerina Handicap (G1) last August, eighth of nine in November’s $1 million Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1) at 7-2 and, most recently, seventh of 10 at 9-2 in her defense of the Derby City Distaff on the Kentucky Derby undercard.

Saturday night was a different story.

“I’m so proud of her that she’s back,” DeVaux said. “She’s been training well and we were hoping she’d bounce back to form. She sat a really good trip and down the lane was just hoping she’d have enough punch left. She really loves this racetrack.”

Long shot Gray Lightning broke on top with Vahva pressing to the outside through an opening quarter mile in 22.82 seconds. Just inside a half mile to go, Claret Beret made a decisive three-wide move to join the pacesetters while cruising a half mile in 45.26 seconds. At the top of the stretch, Gray Lighting began to tire while Vahva continued to battle with Claret Beret. Inside the sixteenth pole, Vahava began to move clear of her rival for a three-quarter of a length victory.

“She helped me a lot out of the gate to get into a good position early” Ortiz said. “I was able to clear some horses to my inside early but I wanted to bid my time and let her find her stride. We were going a little quick but she was doing it so easy. She showed what she can do. She loves this racetrack – you just have to trust her.”

Zeitlos closed late to finish third under jockey Flavien Prat. She was followed in order by Emery, slight 5-2 favorite My Mane Squeeze, Mink’s Palace, Pigalle, Brightwork and Gray Lightning.

Vahva paid $7.28, $4.80 and $3.46 as the 5-2 second betting choice. Claret Beret, under Micah Husbands at odds of 10-1, returned $10.54 and $6.52. Zeitlos, who finished 3 1/4 lengths back of the runner-up at 4-1, paid $3.38 to show.

Vahva is a daughter of Gun Runner out of the Harlan’s Holiday mare Holiday Soiree and was bred in Kentucky by Woodford Thoroughbreds.