Songbird to miss Kentucky Oaks

Undefeated champion Songbird has been declared out of the $1 million Kentucky Oaks (G1) at Churchill Downs on May 6, owner Rick Porter of Fox Hill Farm tweeted out on Sunday.

According to Porter, Songbird “developed a low graded fever after the SA Oaks and has not been able to go out to the track. With the fever not resolved, she was started on a course of antibiotics today, and as a result it'll be another 7-10 days before she's able to return to the track.”

Songbird captured the Santa Anita Oaks (G1) on April 9 by 3 3/4 lengths to bring her career record to a perfect seven-for-seven. The Jerry Hollendorfer pupil opened her sophomore season with a 6 1/2-length victory in the Las Virgenes (G2) on February 6 and went on to take the Santa Ysabel (G3) on March 5 by 3 3/4 lengths.

Songbird was the heavy early favorite to win the Kentucky Oaks.

Porter added, “We are sorry to have to miss the Oaks but what's most important is to get Songbird well, and we have 2 great vets along with Jerry and his team taking good care of her.”

Songbird earned an Eclipse Award as the 2015 champion two-year-old filly after racking up a four-for-four record that included the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1), Chandelier (G1) and Del Mar Debutante (G1).

Thus far the Medaglia d’Oro filly has banked $1,982,000 in career earnings.

Songbird photo courtesy of Keeneland/Coady Photography