Churchill Downs. For fillies and mares, four-years old and upward. (7 furlongs, dirt)
Winner: VAHVA (USA, 20, bay mare, by Gun Runner out of Holiday Soiree, by Harlan’s Holiday). Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr. Trainer: Cherie DeVaux. Owner: Belladonna Racing LLC, Hudson, Lynne, Hudson, Jr., Edward J., West Point Thoroughbreds, Twin Brook Stables, Farish, W.S., LBD Stable LLC, Runnels Racing and Manganaro Bloodstock. Breeder: Woodford Thoroughbreds, LLC. Time: 1:20.89.
Five-year-old mare Vahva reaffirmed her affinity for Churchill Downs with a repeat victory in the Grade 2 Chicago Stakes, held under the lights on Friday, June 21. The daughter of Gun Runner, piloted by Irad Ortiz Jr. and trained by Cherie DeVaux, snapped a three-race losing streak by scoring a decisive three-quarter-length win in the seven-furlong sprint for older fillies and mares. The $298,250 purse boosted her earnings to $1,991,010, bringing her career record to 7-3-3 from 17 starts. Owned by a partnership led by Belladonna Racing, West Point Thoroughbreds, and others, Vahva stopped the clock in 1:20.89 over a fast track, earning her fifth career stakes victory—and her fifth win in six tries at Churchill. Last year, she captured this race (then a Grade 3) following her Derby City Distaff (G1) triumph. Her resume also includes graded wins in the Charles Town Oaks (G3) and Raven Run (G2). Bred in Kentucky by Woodford Thoroughbreds, she is out of stakes-winning Holiday Soiree, by Harlan’s Holiday.
La yegua cincoañera Vahva confirmó su condición de especialista en Churchill Downs al repetir su triunfo en el Clásico Chicago (G2), disputado el viernes 21 de junio bajo las luces del mítico óvalo de Louisville. La hija de Gun Runner, conducida por Irad Ortiz Jr. y entrenada por Cherie DeVaux, cortó una racha de tres derrotas consecutivas al imponerse con autoridad por tres cuartos de cuerpo en este sprint de siete furlongs para yeguas mayores. La prueba, que otorgó una bolsa de $298,250, elevó sus ganancias a $1.991.010 con récord de 7-3-3 en 17 salidas. Propiedad de un extenso grupo encabezado por Belladonna Racing, West Point Thoroughbreds y otros socios, Vahva marcó tiempo de 1:20.89 sobre pista rápida, consolidando así su quinta victoria en seis actuaciones en Churchill. El año pasado ganó esta misma prueba (cuando era G3), luego de triunfar en el Derby City Distaff (G1). Su palmarés también incluye éxitos en el Charles Town Oaks (G3) y el Raven Run (G2). Bred en Kentucky por Woodford Thoroughbreds, es hija de Holiday Soiree, por Harlan’s Holiday.
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