Study Guide: 2024 Chicago Stakes

Jun 18, 2024 J. Keeler Johnson/TwinSpires.com

A small but strong field has entered Saturday's $250,000 Chicago (G3) at Churchill Downs. Two of the five entrants in the seven-furlong sprint for fillies and mares are proven Grade 1 winners.

Let's review the field in horse-by-horse fashion:

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Society

Start(s): 12
Wins: 7
Place: 0
Show: 1

Owner: Peter E. Blum Thoroughbreds
Breeder: Peter E. Blum Thoroughbreds
Trainer: Steve Asmussen
Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione

Top Speed Rating: (109) when winning the 2022 Cotillion (G1) at Parx Racing.
Total Earnings: $1,539,535

Sire: Gun Runner
Dam: Etiquette
Color: Chestnut

The 2023 Chicago took place at Ellis Park, and Society proved tons the best, leading all the way to dominate by 10 3/4 lengths in the track-record time of 1:20.54. She's brilliant on her best day and won at the Grade 1 level when taking the 2022 Cotillion (G1), but Society hasn't raced since finishing fourth in the 2023 Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1), and the layoff is at least a small question mark. On the bright side, Society is the only speed horse in the Chicago field, and if she shakes loose on an uncontested lead, she may prove difficult or impossible to catch.

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Royal Spa

Start(s): 10
Wins: 4
Place: 1
Show: 1

Owner: Breffni Farm
Breeder: Breffni Farm
Trainer: Rodolphe Brisset
Jockey: Florent Geroux

Top Speed Rating: (91) when winning a Keeneland allowance optional claimer.
Total Earnings: $376,560

Sire: Violence
Dam: Bodacious Babe
Color: Dark bay/brown

Royal Spa has placed in multiple stakes, most notably running second in the six-furlong American Beauty S. behind future Grade 1 winner Alva Starr. But Royal Spa has missed the top three in all four of her graded stakes attempts, most recently finishing seventh in the Winning Colors (G3) at Churchill Downs, so Saturday's class level might be a little steep.

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Vahva

Start(s): 12
Wins: 5
Place: 3
Show: 2

Owner: Belladonna Racing, Edward J. Hudson Jr., West Point Thoroughbreds, LBD Stable, Nice Guys Stables, Manganaro Bloodstock, Runnels Racing, Steve Hornstock, and Twin Brook Stables
Breeder: Woodford Thoroughbreds
Trainer: Cherie DeVaux
Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.

Top Speed Rating: (103) when winning the Derby City Distaff (G1) at Churchill Downs.
Total Earnings: $1,578,310

Sire: Gun Runner
Dam: Holiday Soiree
Color: Bay

The most accomplished sprinter in the Chicago field is Vahva, who won the Charles Town Oaks (G3) and Raven Run (G2) to wrap up her 2023 campaign. She's been even better this year, rallying boldly to finish second behind Alva Starr in the Madison (G1) before turning the tables on that rival by two lengths in the Derby City Distaff (G1) here at Churchill Downs. Seven furlongs is Vahva's best distance, and five-time Eclipse Award-winning jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. retains the mount, so Vahva is a formidable win threat while sticking to the same track and distance as the Derby City Distaff.

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Chi Town Lady

Start(s): 12
Wins: 4
Place: 1
Show: 2

Owner: Castleton Lyons
Breeder: Castleton Lyons, Kilboy Estate, and Gavin Tierney
Trainer: Wesley Ward
Jockey: Jose Ortiz

Top Speed Rating: (99) when finishing sixth in the 2022 Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1) at Keeneland.
Total Earnings: $540,413

Sire: Verrazano
Dam: Toni's Hollyday
Color: Chestnut

An upset winner of the seven-furlong Test (G1) against three-year-olds last year, Chi Town Lady started 2024 with a rallying victory in the Minaret S. at Tampa Bay Downs. But she subsequently finished fourth by 3 1/4 lengths against Vahva in the Derby City Distaff, so she'll need improvement to reverse that outcome in the Chicago.

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Positano Sunset

Start(s): 9
Wins: 3
Place: 1
Show: 0

Owner: Six Column Stables, Randall L. Bloch, John Seiler, and David Hall
Breeder: John Seiler, Randy Bloch, Trish Henson, Brad Stephens, and Dave Hall.
Trainer: Ian Wilkes
Jockey: Julien Leparoux

Top Speed Rating: (93) when winning a Keeneland allowance optional claimer.
Total Earnings: $264,150

Sire: Goldencents
Dam: Gigglin' Gal
Color: Bay

Positano Sunset managed to defeat Vahva by half a length in a $100,000 allowance optional claimer at Keeneland in April 2023. She later won the seven-furlong Audubon Oaks. But Positano Sunset hasn't cracked the trifecta in two starts this year, most recently finishing sixth in the Winning Colors (G3). She'll need to recapture her best form in order to factor in the Chicago.