Gun Runner’s Vahva Gets It Done in Charles Town Oaks

[Wandering Eyes]

Vahva (f, 3, Gun Runner–Holiday Soiree, by Harlan's Holiday) shipped in to Charles Town off a third in Belmont's July 8 GIII Victory Ride S. for trainer Cherie DeVaux to capture the 15th running of the $750,000 GIII Charles Town Oaks, billed as the richest sprint race for sophomore fillies in North America. Off at 7-5, Vahva raced just behind the leaders while 96-1 Late Frost (Frosted) set early fractions of :23.37 and :46.82 while being kept honest on the lead by 3-1 Undervalued Asset (Speightstown). The two pacesetters pulled well clear from the field on the turn with just Vahva threatening. A sixteenth from home, it looked to be any of the three, but Vahva had one last gear and put about 1 1/2 lengths on the pair right before the wire. Undervalued Asset outnosed Late Frost on the line for second.

Vahva's dam, Holiday Soiree, was runner-up in the 2012 edition of this race.

B-Woodford Thoroughbreds LLC; O-Belladona Racing LLC, Edward J. Hudson, Jr., West Point Thoroughbreds, LBD Stable LLC, Nice Guys Stables, Manganaro Bloodstock, Runnels Racing, Steve Hornstock, and Twin Brook Stables; T-Cherie DeVaux; J-John Velazquez.

VAHVA (Gun Runner) waved bye-bye to her foes down the stretch, pulling ahead to win the GIII Charles Town Oaks! pic.twitter.com/yCrF2QQp3u

— TDN (@theTDN) August 26, 2023

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