Vahva Seeks Repeat in G1 Derby City Distaff

Vahva scores in last year’s edition of the Derby City Distaff (Jenny Doyle/Past The Wire)

Churchill Downs Press Release

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Vahva will attempt to become the first horse to post a repeat victory in the $1 million Derby City Distaff presented by Kendall-Jackson Winery (GI) for fillies and mares when she takes a deep field in the 39th running of the seven-furlong main track test.

Trained by Cherie DeVaux for a partnership headed by Belladonna Racing, Vahva will be making her first start since an off-the-board finish in last fall’s Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (GI). A perfect 4-for-4 at Churchill Downs, Vahva will be ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr. from post 7.

Among her chief rivals are Grade I winners Positano Sunset, Ways and Means and Kopion.

Six Column Stables, Randall Bloch, John Seiler and David Hall’s Positano Sunset, winner of the Madison (GI) at Keeneland on April 8, is perfect in two 2025 starts for trainer Ian Wilkes. Julien Leparoux has the mount from post 11.

Klaravich Stables’ Ways and Means, winner of the Test (GI) last summer at Saratoga, will be making her 2025 debut for trainer Chad Brown. Flavien Prat retains the mount on Ways and Means will exit post 8.

Spendthrift Farm’s Kopion, trained by Richard Mandella, closed 2024 with a victory in the La Brea (GI) and opened 2025 with a daylight victory in the Santa Monica (GII). Kazushi Kimura has the mount from post 2.

The field for the Derby City Distaff presented by Kendall-Jackson Winery: (Race 10, 4:50 p.m. post)

1. Scylla (Joel Rosario, Bill Mott)
2. Kopion (Kazushi Kimura, Richard Mandella)
3. Benedetta (Jose Ortiz, Steve Asmussen)
4. Awesome Treat (Luan Machado, Justin Wojczynski)
5. Haulin Ice (Micah Husbands, Saffie Joseph Jr.)
6. Mystic Lake (Edgard Zayas, Saffie Joseph Jr.)
7. Vahva (Irad Ortiz Jr., Cherie DeVaux)
8. Ways and Means (Flavien Prat, Chad Brown)
9. Emery (Manny Franco, Brad Cox)
10. Dorth Vader (John Velazquez, George Weaver)
11. Positano Sunset (Julien Leparoux, Ian Wilkes)
12. Hope Road (Juan Hernandez, Bob Baffert)
13. My Mane Squeeze (Luis Saez, Mike Maker)
14. Taxed (Cristian Torres, Randy Morse)
15. AE: Grand Job (Junior Alvarado, Bill Mott)
16. AE: Miss Susan B (Santo Sanjur, Rogelio Labra)