Trainer Cherie DeVaux had little time to rest of her laurels Sunday as she sent out a multitude of horses for works the morning after Vahva provided her with her first Keeneland stakes victory, a gritty, half-length win over Alva Starr in the seven-furlong Lexus Raven Run (G2) Saturday.
“She's good this morning,” DeVaux said of Vahva. “Right now the goal is the La Brea (G1).”
The La Brea is a $300,000 test going seven furlongs Dec. 26 at Santa Anita.
A daughter of Gun Runner who has won or placed in five of her six starts this year, Vahva captured the seven-furlong Charles Town Oaks (G3) Aug. 25 in her start prior to the Raven Run. Her career line stands as 4-2-2 from 10 starts and purse earnings of $873,810 for a large partnership that includes Belladonna Racing LLC and West Point Thoroughbreds.
Meanwhile, trainer Brett Brinkman said Alva Starr would be headed to Fair Grounds next weekend after the close of the 17-day Fall Meet at the Lexington track.
“I was not disappointed with her effort yesterday,” Brinkman said of Alva Starr, who battled Vahva the length of the stretch in her first race beyond six furlongs. “We will go to New Orleans with her and then get her cranked up at Oaklawn Park.”
Brinkman said he would have no qualms about trying Alva Starr seven furlongs again and one such race that could fit the bill next spring is the Madison (G1) at Keeneland.
“We'd like to make this (coming to Keeneland) part of our regular routine,” Brinkman said.
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