Vahva Finishes Best of All in Derby City Distaff

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Vahva Finishes Best of All in Derby City Distaff
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Photo: Rick Samuels
Vahva wins the Derby City Distaff Stakes May 4 at Churchill Downs

Vahva scored her breakthrough grade 1 victory in the $1 million Derby City Distaff Stakes (G1) May 4 at Churchill Downs.

The 4-year-old Gun Runner   filly broke like a shot from the outside post in a field of 10, then stalked the pace from fourth place early under Irad Ortiz Jr.


Spirit Wind  set fast fractions of :22.36 and :45.12 before being overtaken by Alva Starr , who briefly opened up. But Vahva always had the leaders in her sights. Vahva hit the front just outside the sixteenth pole and won by two lengths. Final time for seven furlongs on the dirt track that was upgraded to good was 1:21.75.

"She's a filly that every time we take her out, she puts it all out on the track," said winner trainer Cherie Devaux, who added the Aug. 24 Ballerina Handicap (G1) at Saratoga Race Course could be her next major goal.

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Vahva is owned in partnership by Belladonna Racing, Edward J. Hudson, West Point Thoroughbreds, LBD Stable, Nice Guys Stables, Manganaro Bloodstock, Runnels Racing, Steve Hornstock and Twin Brook Stables. She was bred in Kentucky by Woodford Thoroughbreds.

This story will be updated.