Vahva, a Gun Runner progeny, secured her first Grade I victory by overcoming Alva Starr in the final stretch to win the Derby City Distaff at Churchill Downs, marking a significant achievement for both the horse and her team.
– ‣ Vahva, ridden by Irad Ortiz, Jr. and trained by Cherie DeVaux, won her first Grade I race at the Derby City Distaff S. at Churchill Downs, overcoming Alva Starr in the final furlong to win by two lengths.
– ‣ This victory marks Vahva as the ninth Grade I winner for the sire Gun Runner, highlighting her pedigree which is similar to Gun Runner’s champion Echo Zulu. Vahva’s dam, Holiday Soiree, also has a notable racing and breeding record.
– ‣ The race was part of a successful weekend for Louisiana-breds, with Alva Starr looking to continue the trend before being overtaken by Vahva. The event showcased the competitive spirit and high quality of the participating horses and their connections.
#10 Vahva gets the late pass and pulls away to win the Derby City Distaff @ChurchillDowns as the 8/5 favorite!
Jockey: @iradortiz
Trainer: @reredevaux🎥 #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/LfXJZdUnMY
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) May 4, 2024
Vahva, a spirited filly by Gun Runner, was all the buzz coming into the Derby City Distaff at Churchill Downs. Just a heartbeat away from victory in her last race, she was the crowd’s darling, pegged at 8-5 to turn the tables on her rival, Alva Starr.
The air was thick with anticipation. From the get-go, Vahva, with a price tag of $280,000 from her Keeneland days, showed she meant business. Irad Ortiz, Jr., her jockey, had her sitting pretty in third, just behind the leaders, ready to pounce.
Alva Starr was in fine form, too. She looked unbeatable for a moment, leading the pack as they thundered down the track. But, oh, the tables turned. In the final stretch, Vahva found something extra. She surged past Alva Starr, clinching victory by two clear lengths. It was her moment, her first win at the top level, and boy, did she make it count.
After the race, Cherie DeVaux, Vahva’s trainer, was over the moon. “An unbelievable performance,” she gushed. Winning a Grade I? It’s the stuff of dreams. And for DeVaux and her team, it was a dream come true.
On the pedigree front, Vahva’s win was a feather in the cap for Gun Runner, marking him as a sire of nine Grade I winners. Echo Zulu, another star from Gun Runner’s lineage, might have been watching from the stars, proud. Vahva’s dam, Holiday Soiree, fetched a cool $300,000 at the sales, proving good bloodlines never go unnoticed.
And then, there’s the tweet that set social media abuzz. “#10 Vahva gets the late pass and pulls away to win the Derby City Distaff @ChurchillDowns as the 8/5 favorite!” It was a win that resonated far beyond the racetrack, celebrated by fans and followers alike.
The details of the race? Pure poetry in motion. Vahva, a four-year-old filly with a heart as big as her stride, claimed her first Grade I win in style. The victory wasn’t just a win; it was a statement. With earnings now over $1.5 million, Vahva’s not just running races; she’s making history.
Alva Starr and Flying Connection, they gave it their all. But on that day, under that sky, it was Vahva who stole the show. As for the rest? They ran well, but this was Vahva’s day, her victory lap under the watchful eyes of Churchill Downs.
In the end, it’s not just about the speed, or the strategy, or even the prize money. It’s about those moments of sheer exhilaration, the thrill of the race, the glory of victory. And for Vahva, it was a day to remember, a day when she outran them all, leaving no doubt she was the queen of the track.
