Vahva collared pacesetter Alva Starr in deep stretch and edged to a half-length victory in the 25th running of the $349,375 Lexus Raven Run (G2) for 3-year-old fillies Saturday afternoon at Keeneland.
Trained by Cherie DeVaux and ridden by John Velazquez, Vahva covered the seven furlongs on a fast main track in 1:23.28.
“She's been a gritty filly throughout her career but really had to run that filly down,” said DeVaux, who notched her first Keeneland stakes victory.
Velazquez said he knew favorite Alva Starr would be tough to beat but his mount was game for the win.
“I got close to the heels of the horse in front (Alva Starr), held my position, and when I pulled (Vahva) out she responded. That's all you can ask of the horses. She was there for me, and she did it all,” said Velazquez, who posted his 62nd Keeneland win, three of which have come in the Raven Run, including in 2008 with Informed Decision and 2012 with Gypsy Robin.
Alva Starr led the field of seven through an opening quarter-mile in :22.61 while under pressure from Ancient Peace with 2-1 second choice Vahva tracking in fourth. On the far turn, Vahva began to close in and by the top of the stretch it was game on between the two favorites.
Alva Starr stubbornly clung to an advantage through most of the run through the lane, yielding only inside the sixteenths pole as Vahva pushed past for the victory.
Vahva was coming off a victory in the Charles Town Oaks (G3) Aug. 25. A Kentucky-bred daughter of Gun Runner out of the Harlan's Holiday mare Holiday Soiree, Vahva improved her record to 10-4-2-2 and increased her earnings to $873,810 with Saturday's $211,575 check.
Vahva returned $7.06 for the win.
Alva Starr, stretching out to seven furlongs for the first time, finished 12½ lengths in front of third-place finisher Dazzling Blue.
“We knew we were up against a new factor (first time beyond six furlongs),” said Alva Starr's trainer, Brett Brinkman. “I am not scared to run her seven-eighths (again). She is a sprinter.
“We will probably take her home (to Fair Grounds in New Orleans) and piddle around with her, give her some time off and regroup.”
It was another half-length back to Apple Picker in fourth, with Lily Poo, Lady Radler, and Ancient Peace following in order.
Vahva was bred in Kentucky by Woodford Thoroughbreds, which sold her for $280,000 to DBR IV and West Point at the 2021 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.
The post Vahva Collars Front-Running Favorite Alva Starr For Raven Run Score appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
