Vahva Beats Alva Starr to Win Raven Run Stakes – Vahva edged past Alva Starr to secure the Grade 2, USD350,000 Raven Run Stakes Race on Saturday at Keeneland. The daughter of Gun Runner, who has a 5-2 odds before the race, had enough gas on her tank to outclass the 4-5 favorite by half-length. Under the guidance of Hall of Fame jockey John Velasquez, Vahva charged home and overtook Alva Starr in the last 70 yards to finish the seven-furlong race in one minute and 23.28 seconds. It was Vahva’s second straight stakes win in two months as she followed up on her victory in the Charles Town Oaks. This was also her third win in four starts since May. The win stunned online horseracing betting aficionados that went all-in for Alva Starr only to suffer heartbreak by the end of the race.
Placing Vahva at Mid-pack Key to Stunning Win: Velasquez
According to Velasquez, he made sure that his horse will make a strong charge down the stretch. He placed Vahva, who is running third at that time, on the outside. Moments later, the race was between Vahva and Alva Starr as the rest of the entries faded and gave way. The Hall of Fame jockey relied on his horse’s vast experience in seven-furlong races as she worn down Alva Starr, who had her first stint in the distance after campaigning in six-furlong events in her initial five starts.
Another thing that worked against the favorite was the change of rider. Tyler Gaffalione was the fifth different jockey for the horse and it was the first time Alva Starr competed in a seven-furlong event. Gaffalione cited the filly’s lack of stamina as a major factor in the race. She looked gassed in the final part of the race, allowing Vahva to take over and steal the victory away from her. Alva Starr’s trainer Brett Brinkman admitted that racing under seven furlongs was new territory for the horse. Brinkman indicated that the three-year-old filly will race again in seven furlongs. They are hoping that Alva Starr will have enough pipes to bounce back and win her next race. The trainer noted that the Raven Run will probably Alva Starr’s last race this year.
Vahva Beats Alva Starr to Win Raven Run Stakes: Vahva’s Victory Sets Sights on Santa Anita’s Grade 1 Event
Dazzling Blue finished a distant third while Apple Picker, Lily Poo, Lady Radler and Ancient Pace ended up fourth through seventh in the race. Simply Stated and Nom de Plume were scratched from the race. Vahva earned USD211,575 for the win, boosting her career earnings to USD873,810. It was her fourth win in 10 starts. According to trainer Cherie DeVaux, the team is planning to test her again into seven furlongs and possibly try the horse out in a Grade 1 event at Santa Anita on December 26. DeVaux won her sixth graded stakes race and 47 overall. It increased her earnings to more than USD4.5 million.
Vahva Beats Alva Starr to Win: Practical Move Works Out for Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile
After winning an allowance race weeks ago, possible Breeders’ Cup entry Practical Move took the track on Saturday. He trained at the Santa Anita racetrack and raced for four furlongs. He was clocked 48.8 seconds in the trial with a group of horses on the side. Trainer Tim Yakteen commented on the horse’s performance, saying that he was just trying to test Practical Move’s energy level and the session went well.
The son of Practical Joke surged to victory by four lengths in his comeback after a six-month layoff. The victory earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 98. It was his fifth win in eight starts. Practical Move was supposed to race in the Kentucky Derby but his trainers begged off as the horse’s temperature rose days before the race. Practical Move is entered in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile, which will flag off on November 4.
Aside from Practical Move, 13 other Breeders’ Cup contenders tested the Santa Anita track. Muth went five furlongs and was clocked 59.4 seconds. Wine Me Up was faster for the same distance at 59.2 seconds. The two horses are slated to face each other in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile on November 3. Anarchist and The Chosen Vron tried out different paces.
Breeders’ Cup Horse Training Sessions: Insights for Online Betting Enthusiasts
Trained under a five-furlong distance and registered a clip of 59.4 seconds on the main track while the handlers of The Chosen Vron chose to race on the training track and finished with a time of one minute and 01.6 seconds. Anarchist and The Chosen Vron are expected to lock horns at the Breeders’ Cup Sprint on November 4. Gunite, a contender for the Sprint or Dirt Mile. Trained on the main track under trainer Steve Asmussen, recording 1:00.2 over five furlongs.
Kirstenbosch and Society worked out in preparation for the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint and had varying clips. Society had a faster five-furlong clip of 59.8 seconds while Kirstenbosch raced on September 29 and was timed 1:00.4. Another possible Filly and Mare Sprint entry, Clearly Unhinged, tried out four furlongs and was clocked at 48.2 seconds. Du Jour and Exaulted tried out the training track for the Breeders’ Cup Mile. Du Jour finished the half-mile trial in 48.6 seconds, but Exaulted was faster at 47.4 seconds.
Another Breeders’ Cup Mile candidate, Astronomer, checked in at 1:01 in a five-furlong training race. Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint candidate Motorious went four furlongs and was timed at 46.8 seconds. Desert Dawn, a potential entry in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff or Filly and Mare Sprint. Completed a six-furlong workout in 1:13.4. The training sessions serve as an “unofficial guide” for online betting, providing horseracing fanatics with a deeper perspective on the prestigious event for thoroughbred horses.
Hilbert Mayer
Sports Writer
Hilbert Mayer is a professional sports writer, betting analyst, and content strategist with over 15 years of experience in the sports industry. Before focusing on sports betting analysis and handicapping, Hilbert worked as a sports writer for various news outlets, covering everything from game recaps to in-depth matchup features. Today, he specializes in MLB, NFL, March Madness, and UFC betting, combining his journalistic background with deep statistical expertise and real-world betting insights. His proven track record, sharp reads, and ability to break down complex matchups make him a trusted voice among both casual bettors and seasoned sharps.
Published on: October 22, 2023
Last updated: October 26, 2023