Grade 1 winner Vahva has established herself as one of the leading dirt sprinters in the country and aims to strengthen her position in Saturday’s Grade 1, $500,000 Ballerina Handicap at Saratoga. This seven-furlong sprint for fillies and mares will see her compete for a chance to earn a spot in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint this November at Del Mar.
Trained by Cherie DeVaux, the 4-year-old Gun Runner bay has been in exceptional form, winning four of her last five starts, all at seven furlongs. Her victories include the Derby City Distaff (G1) in May and the Chicago (G3) on June 22 at Churchill Downs. Last year, she capped off her season with wins in the Charles Town Oaks (G3) and the Raven Run (G2) at Keeneland.
“We're targeting both this race and the Breeders’ Cup,” said DeVaux. “I’m confident she is among the top sprinters in the division.”
Vahva has been preparing extensively for the Ballerina at Keeneland, including a half-mile breeze in 49.20 seconds on August 17. “She’s doing really well. This race has been a goal for us since early in the year,” DeVaux added. “She always shows up and runs her race, which is all we can ask for.”
Purchased for $280,000 at the 2021 Keeneland September yearling sale, Vahva is out of the Grade 1-placed Harlan’s Holiday mare Holiday Soiree. She will carry a field-high 124 pounds, with Irad Ortiz Jr. riding from post 3.
Grade 1 winner Society, trained by Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen, enters the race with a 7-for-13 record. The 5-year-old Gun Runner chestnut finished a 1 1/2-length third behind Vahva and Positano Sunset in the Chicago after setting the pace and bumping with Vahva in the stretch. Society’s other losses have been to top competitors like Goodnight Olive, Nest, and Malathaat. Notably, she boasts a co-field-best 106 Beyer Speed Figure for her 5 1/2-length win in the Pink Ribbon last August at Charles Town.
Asmussen, who won this event last year with Echo Zulu, will be looking for another victory.
Chad Brown, a four-time Eclipse Award-winner, will field two contenders: Grade 2 winner Accede and Grade 3 winner Shidabhuti. Accede broke through at the graded level with a win in the Bed o’ Roses (G2) at Belmont in June. She then finished second in the Honorable Miss Handicap (G2) on July 24. “Accede is in good form, and I’m pleased with her training,” said Brown. “It’s a tough race, but she’s ready.”
Shidabhuti has competed in graded races recently, including a win in the Distaff (G3) in April and a fourth-place finish in the Bed o’ Roses. Brown believes Shidabhuti’s late-running style might help her secure a minor award in this Grade 1 event. “If she can grab a piece of this prestigious race, it would boost her value,” he noted.
Grade 1-placed Munnys Gold, trained by Todd Pletcher, looks to rebound from a fourth-place finish in the Honorable Miss (G2). She shares a field-best 106 Beyer Speed Figure with Society from her 17 1/4-length win in the Sophomore Fillies at Tampa Bay Downs. Munnys Gold is also cross-entered in Friday’s listed $150,000 Smart N Fancy, a 5 1/2-furlong turf sprint at Saratoga.
The field also includes Grade 1-winner Chi Town Lady from Wesley Ward, Grade 1-placed Scylla, who was supplemented by Bill Mott, and Grade 3-placed Positano Sunset, trained by Ian Wilkes.