Vahva clears the field and takes down the 2024 Chicago (G3) (Coady Media)
Derby City 6 Jackpot Stands At $760,835
Dedication To Late Owner Erv Woolsey Sunday
Darren Rogers/Churchill Downs
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Grade I winner Vahva is back at Churchill Downs to attempt a repeat in the 35th running of the $300,000 Chicago Stakes (GII), the centerpiece of next Saturday night’s Downs After Dark card.
The seven-furlong contest, featuring a competitive field of 11 filly and mare sprinters, headlines an 11-race program that begins at 6 p.m. (all times Eastern). The Chicago will go as Race 9 at 10:11 p.m.
Vahva enjoyed a breakout 4-year-old season in 2024, beginning with a Grade I win in the Derby City Distaff on Kentucky Derby Day before returning a month later to take the Chicago Stakes by 1 ¼ lengths over Positano Sunset. Following her Chicago Stakes victory, Vahva finished third in the Ballerina Handicap (GI) at Saratoga and eighth in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (GI). Trained by Cherie DeVaux, the six-time winner races for the partnership of Belladonna Racing, Lynne Hudson, Edward Hudson Jr.,West Point Thoroughbreds, Twin Brook Stables, W.S. Farish, LBD Stable, Runnels Racing and Manganaro Bloodstock. Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. will ride from post No. 5.
Another accomplished mare entered is Stonestreet Stables and Peter Leidel’s Zeitlos. Trained by Steve Asmussen, the 5-year-old daughter of Curlin made her seasonal debut last month with a 1 ½-length victory in the Skipat Stakes at Pimlico. As a 4-year-old, Zeitlos captured the Thoroughbred Club of America Stakes (GII) at Keeneland, along with the Open Mind Stakes (Listed) and Roxelana Stakes at Churchill Downs. Flavien Prat will ride from post 11.
The Chicago Stakes field also includes Eight Belles Stakes (GII) and Dogwood Stakes (GIII) winner My Mane Squeeze; Raven Run (GII) winner Emery; Groupie Doll (Listed) winner Pigalle; and 2023 Spinaway (GI) winner Brightwork.
On-track guests are encouraged to dress in bright colors and bold accessories as part of the evening’s Caribbean theme. DJ Brandon Lee will bring a coastal country soundtrack to Churchill Downs beginning at 8 p.m.
Fans can watch and wager on all the action at www.TwinSpires.com, the official wagering provider of Churchill Downs Incorporated.
Derby City 6 Jackpot Stands At $760,835
Saturday’s 20-cent Derby City 6 Jackpot has risen to a massive $760,835 for the sequence beginning in Race 5.
Saturday’s sequence: (with field size as of 11:30 a.m.)
Race 5 (2:45 p.m.): $175,000 Monomoy Girl Stakes, f&m, 1 1/16 M (four runners)
Race 6 (3:18 p.m.): Clm 50000n3L, 3&up, 1 M (five runners)
Race 7 (3:50 p.m.): Clm 80000n2L, 3&up, 1 M (four runners)
Race 8 (4:22 p.m.): Mdn 120k, f&m, 1 M (T) (12 runners)
Race 9 (4:55 p.m.): OC 80000n3x, 3&up, 1 1/16 M (eight runners)
Race 10 (5:26 p.m.): $200,000 Chorleywood Stakes (Listed), 4&up, 1 3/8 M (T) (10 runners)
The Derby City 6 Jackpot tests bettors to correctly select all six winners, and if they have the only winning combination, they will take down the entire jackpot. If there are multiple winning combinations, 90 percent of the day’s pool is paid out with the other 10 percent going to the carryover. If there are no correct combinations, the entire day’s pool will be added to the jackpot.
Horseplayers can wager on the Derby City 6 Jackpot, and every race from Churchill Downs, on www.twinspires.com, the official wagering provider of Churchill Downs Incorporated.
Dedication To Late Owner Erv Woolsey Sunday
A dedication for longtime owner and country music manager Erv Woolsey will take place Sunday at Churchill Downs.
Woolsey, who managed country music icon George Strait for decades, died in March at age 80. Along with the late Ralph Kinder, he owned and bred numerous horses that competed at Churchill Downs, including 2021 Arkansas Derby (Grade I) winner Super Stock and Grade III winners Jordan’s Henny and Lookin for Eight.
Race 8 will be named the Erv Woolsey Memorial Race. A portion of proceeds from tickets purchased through this link will benefit the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance: www.gofevo.com/group/Ervwoolseymememorialrace
DOWN THE STRETCH … … ….. …….
Jockey Corey Lanerie needs five wins to tie and six to surpass Calvin Borel for the second all-time leading rider in recorded history at Churchill Downs. Borel currently holds the No. 2 spot with 1,232 victories. Pat Day is the all-time record holder with 2,482 victories. …
For more information about the Churchill Downs Spring Meet, visit www.churchilldowns.com.
