Trainer spotlight: DeVaux keeps winning at Churchill Downs

Cherie DeVaux got off to a fast start at the Churchill Downs spring meet, winning two races on Saturday. It’s an ultra-competitive environment, with so many horsemen from California, New York and other states present, and DeVaux was the only trainer to win twice on the 11-race opening day program.

Racing fans who paid attention last fall were not surprised. DeVaux, who was also based in Florida and New York last year, does her best work at Churchill Downs. She won 5-of-24 starts (21%) under the Twin Spires last year, and 5-of-47 (11%) elsewhere. DeVaux entered Saturday’s card with a 1-for-26 (4%) record at other tracks in 2020.

She promptly won with her first two starters in Louisville, Kentucky, scoring with Dinar at 5-2 odds and Reagan’s Edge at 12-1. And the longshot was no anomaly.

Her first winner as a trainer paid $25.80, and DeVaux earned her first triumph at Churchill Downs with Traveling at 19-1. She’s had three other Churchill winners yield more than an $11 mutuel.

Bettors should be on alert: DeVaux has won four of her last six starts, and six of her last 14 at Churchill Downs. She is getting the most out of her stock.

From a Standardbred racing family, DeVaux grew up in the Saratoga Springs, New York area, and she is married to bloodstock agent David Ingordo. After working as an assistant for Chuck Simon for five years, DeVaux was tutored by Chad Brown for nearly eight years. She cared for Lady Eli, who made a remarkable comeback from a serious foot problem to be named champion turf mare in 2017.

DeVaux has one entrant on Thursday, Stylishly, who is listed at 20-1on the morning line in race 8.

Find more information for Churchill Downs in our Brisnet At a Glance post for May 18, 2020.