Vahva faces 10 in Chicago title defense

After sustaining her first loss under the Twin Spires, a seventh in the Derby City Distaff (G1), Grade 1 winner Vahva will try to get back on track in Saturday’s $300,000 Chicago (G2). The five-year-old mare will make a title defense in the seven-furlong race, capturing last year’s edition by 1 1/2 lengths, and she faces 10 challengers with regular rider Irad Ortiz Jr.

The Chicago highlights an 11-race Downs After Dark program at Churchill Downs, with A Caribbean Night at the Races serving as the theme, and the first race post is 6 p.m. ET.

Vahva won her first four starts at Churchill, but she didn’t appear to like the sloppy conditions when opening 2025 in the Derby City Distaff on the Kentucky Derby (G1) undercard. Trained by Cherie DeVaux, the Gun Runner mare rebounded from a setback in her second start back last year, and the stalker is listed as the 3-1 second choice on the Chicago morning line.

Grade 2 winner Emery, fifth in the Derby Distaff, leads the early market as the 5-2 favorite. A romping winner of the seven-furlong Leslie’s Lady at Churchill last summer, the four-year-old filly finished a close second as the favorite in the Madison (G1) at Keeneland two starts back. Florent Geroux rides the early/presser for Brad Cox.

Grade 2 queen Zeitlos merits respect following a convincing win in her comebacker, the Skipat S. on the Preakness (G1) undercard at Pimlico. A four-time winner at Churchill, including a pair of stakes, the Steve Asmussen-trained mare owns a strong closing kick and picks up the services of Flavien Prat.

My Mane Squeeze, winner of the Eight Belles (G2) and Dogwood (G3) last year, will look to extend her local record to 3-for-3 after opening her four-year-old season with thirds in the Madison and Ruffian (G2). Luis Saez guides the Mike Maker-trained Churchill specialist.

Claire Beret invades for Saffie Joseph Jr. after netting a 106 Brisnet Speed rating for a 19-length handicap win at Gulfstream Park. Brightwork, a three-time graded winner, will try to improve in her second start back this year after a fourth in the Winning Colors (G3) on May 26. Stakes winner Pigalle, who returned from a six-month layoff with a sharp allowance triumph in late May, is another runner of interest.