Gun Runner’s Vahva Best in Raven Run

[Wandering Eyes]

Closing out her sixth year in the training ranks, Cherie DeVaux added yet another notch on her belt, collecting her first Keeneland stakes victory in Saturday's feature, the GII Lexus Raven Run S. Helping her achieve that goal, DeVaux was represented by GIII Charles Town Oaks winner Vahva (Gun Runner), who was accompanied by Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez, also aboard in her last-out score in West Virginia.

“I don't know if there are words to really describe that,” said a visibly moved DeVaux following the win. “Our team has really worked hard with all of our horses, especially this filly, and it's just so rewarding.”

Sent off at 5-2 behind 4-5 choice Alva Starr (Lord Nelson), Vahva broke alertly from post 4 and was tucked in along the inside as the favorite raced to the front, carving out an opening quarter in :22.61. Continuing to show the way through a :45.48 half as GIII Remington Park Oaks runner-up Ancient Peace (War Front) forced the issue in a three-wide second while Vahva continued to bide her time in third, Alva Starr rounded the home turn in control and appeared en route to victory. Set down for the stretch run under a strong hand ride by Velazquez, Vahva slowly reeled in the game pacesetter, poked her head in front late and inched away in the final strides to collect her second consecutive graded stakes victory.

DeVaux added, “Johnny and I have had great success this year in stakes races, and I told him, 'There's one thing we haven't done yet, and that's come into the infield [at Keeneland] for a trophy presentation,' so I'm elated that he got that done. It's beautiful [out here],”

A winner in her third career star at Churchill Downs last November, the $280,000 Keeneland September buy finished third behind Pretty Mischievous (Into Mischief) in her stakes bow in the Dec. 26 Untapable S. before finishing fourth to that classy filly once again in the 1 1/16-mile GII Rachel Alexandra S. Feb. 18. Cutting back to 6 1/2 furlongs in a Keeneland optional claimer in April, she came was beaten narrowly by next-out stakes winner Positano Sunset (Goldencents) and came right back to score at the same distance at Churchill May 5.

Prior to her Aug. 25 Charles Town Oaks score, she finished a respectable third behind the ill-fated Maple Leaf Mel (Cross Traffic) in Belmont's GIII Victory Ride S. July 8. Velazquez was aboard for her two most recent races prior to the Raven Run.

“We took the same approach [as the Charles Town Oaks, also seven furlongs but around two turns],” explained Velazquez. “She came running and we tried to get a good position. Obviously, we knew the speed horse [runner-up Alva Starr] was going to be really tough to beat. Cherie has done a great job with the horse and gave me the opportunity to stay with her.

“Everything worked out good. I got close to the heels of the horse in front (Alva Starr), held my position and when I pulled her out she responded. That's all you can ask of the horses. She was there for me, and she did it all.”

Pedigree Notes:
Stakes-winning Holiday Soiree, who also finished third in the GI Humana Distaff, was secured by Rock Ridge Thoroughbreds for $160,000 at Keeneland November in 2021. The 14-year-old mare will be re-offered at next month's Keeneland sale under the Warrendale banner. Since her purchase, she produced a filly by City of Light in 2022 followed by a Nyquist filly this term. She was bred back to City of Light.

Saturday, Keeneland
LEXUS RAVEN RUN S.-GII, $349,375, Keeneland, 10-21, 3yo, f, 7f, 1:23.28, ft.
1–VAHVA, 118, f, 3, by Gun Runner
                1st Dam: Holiday Soiree (SW & GISP, $405,642),
                                by Harlan's Holiday
                2nd Dam: Try to Remember, by Include
                3rd Dam: Casanova Striker, by Smart Strike
($280,000 Ylg '21 KEESEP). O-Belladonna Racing, LLC, Edward
Hudson, Jr., West Point Thoroughbreds, LBD Stable LLC, Nice
Guys Stables, Manganaro Bloodstock, Runnels Racing, Steve
Hornstock and Twin Brook Stables; B-Woodford
Thoroughbreds, LLC (KY); T-Cherie DeVaux; J-John R.
Velazquez. $211,575. Lifetime Record: 10-4-2-2, $873,810.
*1/2 to Signal From Noise (Arrogate), SP, $163,990.
Werk Nick Rating: A+++. *Triple Plus*
Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Alva Starr, 120, f, 3, Lord Nelson–Sittin At the Bar, by Into
Mischief. O-P. Dale Ladner; B-Brett A. Brinkman & P. Dale
Ladner (KY); T-Brett A. Brinkman. $68,250.
3–Dazzling Blue, 118, f, 3, Into Mischief–Blue Violet, by Curlin.
($500,000 Ylg '21 KEESEP). O-Juddmonte; B-WinStar Farm, LLC
(KY); T-Brad H. Cox. $34,125.
Margins: HF, 12HF, HF. Odds: 2.53, 0.90, 7.77.
Also Ran: Apple Picker, Lily Poo, Lady Radler, Ancient Peace. Scratched: Nom de Plume, Simply Stated.
Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

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