Churchill Downs announced Saturday that Vahva captured the Grade II Chicago Stakes, marking her first victory in exactly one year since winning the same race in 2023.
The 5-year-old mare by Gun Runner ended her year-long drought with a determined three-quarter length victory in the $298,250 event, completing the seven-furlong contest in 1:20.89 over a fast track.
Jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. positioned Vahva closer to the early pace than her typical running style, tracking 62-1 longshot Gray Lightning through fractions of :22.82 and :45.26. Vahva took command on the far turn while facing pressure from Claret Beret, ultimately prevailing despite her challenger’s determined effort.
“I’m so proud of her that she’s back,” said trainer Cherie DeVaux. “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.”
The victory improved Vahva’s career record to 7-3-3 from 17 starts with earnings of $1,991,010. Her resume now includes four graded stakes victories, including the Grade I Derby City Distaff Stakes earlier this year.
Claret Beret, who had won a May 11 Gulfstream handicap by an impressive 19 3/4 lengths, secured her first graded stakes placing with a strong second-place finish. Multiple stakes winner Zeitlos completed the trifecta.
Vahva’s connections include a partnership of Belladonna Racing LLC, Lynne Hudson, Edward J. Hudson, Jr., West Point Thoroughbreds, Twin Brook Stables, W.S. Farish, LBD Stable LLC, Runnels Racing and Manganaro Bloodstock.
The mare’s pedigree features impressive bloodlines. She is part of Gun Runner’s strong contingent of graded winners, which includes champion Sierra Leone. Her dam, Holiday Soiree, was a stakes winner who placed in the Grade I Humana Distaff Stakes.
Holiday Soiree has produced several other notable offspring, including stakes-placed Signal From Noise (by Arrogate) and Grade II Fasig-Tipton Fair Grounds Oaks runner-up Ahavah (by City of Light). The mare’s 2-year-old filly by Nyquist, named Where Luck Lives, commanded $725,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Select Yearling Sale.
Vahva herself was a $280,000 yearling purchase at the 2021 Keeneland September sale.
The Chicago Stakes, which was upgraded from Grade III to Grade II status this year, served as a rebound opportunity for Vahva after she failed to make an impact in this year’s Derby City Distaff.
Vahva wins the G2 Chicago Stakes! 🏇 pic.twitter.com/hwJTA0kKVI
— Churchill Downs (@ChurchillDowns)
Vahva wins the G2 Chicago Stakes! 🏇 pic.twitter.com/hwJTA0kKVI
— Churchill Downs (@ChurchillDowns) June 22, 2025
