Alva Starr turns table on Vahva in Madison Stakes

LEXINGTON, Ky. - Shortly after Alva Starr ran a gallant second by a half-length to Vahva in the Grade 2 Raven Run Stakes last October at Keeneland, trainer Brett Brinkman began planning a return to the track for the Grade 1, $600,000 Madison Stakes, a major early-season event for female sprinters.

Nearly six months after making that plan, Alva Starr's connections watched it come to fruition, as this time Alva Starr held off Vahva in the stretch for a half-length win on Saturday at Keeneland.

"You love it when a plan comes together," said Brinkman, who also co-bred the filly with owner P. Dale Ladner.

Alva Starr ($6.32) continued her remarkably consistent career, with five wins and three seconds in eight career starts. The Lord Nelson filly won the Dashing Beauty Stakes last July at Delaware Park, earning herself a trip to Saratoga for the Grade 2 Prioress Stakes. She romped by 8 3/4 lengths, giving Brinkman his first graded stakes win. She concluded her season in the Raven Run, in which she set the pace before being run down late by Vahva.

This year, Alva Starr got a single prep for her major targets in the weather-postponed American Beauty Stakes at Oaklawn Park. She won by 3 1/2 lengths on a muddy, sealed track and came out of it working bullets, prepared to give Brinkman his first Grade 1 win.

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"It's pretty special," the trainer said.

In the Madison, Alva Starr, under Tyler Gaffalione, got an uncomplicated trip, sitting in fourth and in the clear as Red Carpet Ready, who was sent away from post 2, narrowly led Hot and Sultry and Icicles through a sharp opening quarter of 21.98 seconds. Around the far turn, Alva Starr took aim as Red Carpet Ready dug in, and barreled past the leader in upper stretch, opening up two lengths.

Vahva, who was making her first start since the Raven Run, came with a solid late run on the outside, but this time Alva Starr held her foe off. The final time for the seven furlongs on the track rated fast was 1:23.36.

Behind the top two, it was 4 1/2 lengths back to Red Carpet Ready, who was third by a length over Sterling Silver, who closed from last at the start. They were followed, in order, by Maryquitecontrary, Hot and Sultry, Big Pond, and Icicles.

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