Songbird exits CCA Oaks 'the way a champion should'

Edited Press Release

Coaching Club American Oaks (G1) heroine Songbird has exited her 5 1/4-length romp on Sunday in fine fettle, according to Christina Jelm, assistant to Hall of Fame trainer Jerry Hollendorfer.

"She's wonderful," Jelm said Monday morning. "She came out of it the way a champion should come out of it. She's happy, relaxed, bright-eyed, ears up. She's just got an excellent disposition. She's very gentle, very kind, extremely intelligent. She's learning to love the media. She loves to stop and have her photo taken. She's truly a princess."

Unbeaten in nine starts and already boasting Eclipse Award honors as the reigning two-year-old champion filly, Songbird is expected to remain based at Saratoga while she prepares for her second East Coast engagement this summer in the $600,000 Alabama (G1) on August 20.

"We'll have a couple of Spa days here and we'll speak to Jerry and observe her over the next couple of days before we go back to the track," Jelm said. "We'll just let her tell us as we move along and Jerry will make the decision."

(Adam Mooshian/Adam Coglianese Photography)