Alva Starr holds off Vahva in the Madison (G1) April 6th at Keeneland (Courtney Snow/Past The Wire)
Churchill Downs Press Release
LOUISVILLE, Ky.— Alva Starr and Vahva, who have split their two previous meetings, headline a field of 10 fillies and mares entered for the 38th running of the $1 million Derby City Distaff (GI) presented by Kendall-Jackson Winery.
The Derby City Distaff, run at seven furlongs on the main track, will go as the sixth race with a 1:14 p.m. post time.
Owned by P. Dale Ladner and trained by Brett Brinkman, Alva Starr held off Vahva by a half-length in the Madison (GI) at Keeneland on April 6. Never worse than second in eight career starts, Alva Starr will be ridden by Tyler Gaffalione from post 7.
Vahva, trained by Cherie DeVaux for the partnership of Belladonna Racing, Edward Hudson Jr., West Point Thoroughbreds, Nice Guys Stables and Twin Brook Stables, overhauled Alva Starr by a half-length in their first meeting in the Raven Run (GII) at Keeneland last October.
Irad Ortiz Jr. has the mount on Vahva from post 10.
The field for the Derby City Distaff, with riders from the inside, is: Three Witches (Flavien Prat), Olivia Darling (John Velazquez), Flying Connection (Florent Geroux), Chi Town Lady (Joel Rosario), Spirit Wind (Jose Ortiz), American Band (Cristian Torres), Alva Starr (Gaffalione), Sterling Silver (Javier Castellano), Red Carpet Ready (Luis Saez), Vahva (Ortiz Jr.).
