Songbird fires bullet ahead of Las Virgenes seasonal debut

Edited Press Release

Undefeated Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) winner Songbird worked five furlongs in a bullet :58.20 Friday morning under regular rider Mike Smith after Santa Anita Park’s 7:45 a.m. (PT) renovation break.

The Medaglia d’Oro filly appeared to easily glide over the fast Arcadia, California, track, which has been inundated with more than five inches of rain since Monday.

“The track is in great shape,” Hall of Fame trainer Jerry Hollendorfer said after moving up the time of Songbird’s work.

The filly was originally scheduled to hit the track account noon, prior to the 1ST race, but with the track in prime condition despite recent the heavy rains Hollendorfer called an audible.

Songbird recorded the fastest of 53 drills at the distance, the average time of which was 1:00.81. Santa Anita clocker Dane Nelson had fractional times of :34 and :46.20 for the dark bay miss, who galloped out six furlongs in 1:11.40.

“She just did everything real easy. She has a good mind. Mike knows her and has been on for most of her works. I’m satisfied,” Hollendorfer remarked.

Songbird is scheduled to make her three-year-old debut in the $300,000 Las Virgenes S. (G2) going one mile on February 6 at Santa Anita Park.

Before that, though, the talented youngster is expected to take home another trophy, this time an Eclipse Award as the champion two-year-old filly of 2015. Songbird is probable to easily beat out fellow finalists Catch a Glimpse and Rachel’s Valentina for that honor on January 16 at the Eclipse Awards ceremony at Gulfstream Park.

Songbird photo courtesy of Keeneland/Coady Photography