Songbird drills six furlongs at Santa Anita for BC Juvenile Fillies

Edited Press Release

Likely Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) favorite Songbird worked six furlongs over Santa Anita Park’s fast main track on an overcast Sunday morning in 1:13.60 with regular rider Mike Smith aboard after the 6:30 a.m. (PDT) renovation break.

Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer called it a “good work” after watching the drill with hawk-like focus through his binoculars.

“She felt wonderful,” Smith said. “All systems are go. She really did everything nice and smooth and galloped out real good. One more little light breeze (next Saturday) and then she heads on out.”

Songbird worked before an intermittent light drizzle that began at 7:30 a.m. and turned a bit heavier at 8 a.m. The Medaglia d’Oro filly is undefeated in three career starts thus far, breaking her maiden at Del Mar in July before taking both the Del Mar Debutante (G1) and Santa Anita’s Chandelier S. (G1) in September.

Also readying for the Breeders’ Cup at Santa Anita on Sunday was TwinSpires.com Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) contender Masochistic, who clocked five furlongs for trainer Ron Ellis in a co-bullet :59.40.

Obviously, who is headed to the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) and Big John B, a candidate for the Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1), each worked on Santa Anita’s firm turf under exercise rider Jose Dominguez. Obviously got five furlongs in 1:00.20 and Big John B posted six panels in 1:15.40.

“They both had big, strong gallop-outs,” trainer Phil D’Amato said. “I’m very, very pleased.”

Also on the turf, Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1) hopeful Elektrum went seven furlongs for John Sadler in 1:30.80.

In other Breeders’ Cup news, Triple Crown champion American Pharoah and multiple Eclipse Award winner Beholder each galloped over Santa Anita’s main track early Sunday morning as the countdown diminishes for their anticipated showdown in the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Keeneland on October 31.

Trainer Bob Baffert said American Pharoah would work Tuesday at 7:45 a.m. (PDT). The sophomore’s last move came Wednesday, when he clocked seven furlongs in 1:23.

“It’s 7:45 from now on,” Baffert said. “It’s too dark at 6:30.”

Richard Mandella said Pacific Classic (G1) queen Beholder “had a nice gallop and ships in the middle of the night” for Keeneland, where she is set to have one breeze before the Classic.

Songbird photo courtesy of Benoit Photos