Vahva draws away from Alva Starr to win Derby City Distaff

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Irad Ortiz Jr. learned from his mistake the last time he rode Vahva, and it paid off in a victory aboard that filly in Saturday’s Grade 1, $1 million Derby City Distaff at Churchill Downs.

Ortiz rode Vahva for the first time in last month’s Grade 1 Madison Stakes at Keeneland and felt he waited too long to make his move when she fell a half-length short to Alva Starr.

Saturday, Ortiz moved on Vahva when Tyler Gaffalione moved on Alva Starr, collared that one at the sixteenth pole, and drew clear for a two-length victory. Alva Starr finished second by three-quarters of a length over Flying Connection.

Ortiz said in the Madison “I think I hesitated. . . . Today, she broke sharp. I let her get her stride, ask her to go when I had to, and she responded.”

The victory was the fifth from 12 starts for Vahva, a 4-year-old daughter of Gun Runner trained by Cherie DeVaux for owners Belladonna Racing, Edward Hudson, West Point Thoroughbreds, and LBD Stable. The victory, Vahva’s first in a Grade 1, was worth $589,000 and pushed Vahva’s career earnings to $1,578,310.

The victory gave Vahva a 2-1 edge in her budding rivalry with Alva Starr. Vahva beat her in the Grade 2 Raven Run at Keeneland last October. Alva Starr won the Madison, which was Vahva’s first start since the Raven Run.

:: Bet the races with a $200 First Deposit Match + FREE All Access PPs! Join DRF Bets.

“She broke better today than she did in her last race, but with the outside post Irad did a good job to let the speed clear and get her nice and settled and quiet behind that,” said DeVaux, who recorded her second career Grade 1 victory, the other being the Natalma at Woodbine last September.

Vahva covered the seven furlongs over a track upgraded to good in 1:21.75, getting a 103 Beyer Speed Figure, and returned $5.44 as the favorite.

Gaffalione had Alva Starr sit second early behind Spirit Wind, who ran an opening half-mile in 45.12 seconds. Alva Starr took the lead outside the quarter pole, but couldn’t fend off Vahva in deep stretch.

“She did the same thing last time. She breaks sharp, but I don’t think she wants to use all that speed early,” Gaffalione said. “If you can wait on her, she has a little bit more of a finish. She ran her race today.”

Flying Connection finished third by a half-length over Chi Town Lady. She was followed, in order, by Sterling Silver, Spirit Wind, Three Witches, Red Carpet Ready, Olivia Darling, and American Band.

DeVaux said the Grade 1 Ballerina on Aug. 24 at Saratoga is the main summer goal for Vahva. DeVaux said she is not sure where, or if, Vahva would run beforehand.

:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.