SOARING HIGH (f, 3, Curlin–Songbird {Ch. 2-year-old Filly, Ch. 3-year-old Filly, MGISW, $4,692,000}, by Medaglia d'Oro) made her second try a winning one when she turned in a sterling campaign opener on the Kentucky Oaks undercard Friday afternoon.
The Cherie DeVaux trainee was unveiled beneath these Twin Spires last September, and ran midpack in a field that yielded Kentucky Oaks contender GSW Counting Stars (Honor A.P.) and SW Coco Connect (Connect). She went on the shelf after that effort and returned to the public worktab Mar. 26 at Keeneland when she posted her first four-furlong move on the year. She worked steadily since then and entered this contest a 4-1 shot with first-time Lasix.
Content to watch the action unfold in fifth as Phantom Blue (Ghostzapper) posted opening fractions in :23.19 and :47.20 while in hand, Soaring High was on the move from her rail spot by the time they arrived at the far bend. Moving to the four path with her sights locked onto the longtime leader, she relentlessly closed the gap in the lane and was on even terms passing the sixteenth pole. Edging away from a game Phantom Blue late, she broke her maiden by a neck with the third-place finished over seven lengths behind the pair.
A daughter of two-time champion Songbird, Soaring High is bred purple being by Classic sire Curlin. She is the second winner for that dam, but there is a juvenile colt named Mendoza (Gun Runner) waiting in the wings who sold as a yearling for $900,000 at last year's Keeneland September sale to agent Donato Lanni. He most recently posted a three-furlong work at Los Alamitos in :36.60 (1/2).
Soaring High's eldest half-sister Song Gate (Arrogate) never made it to the track, but has since joined the breeding ranks for owner/breeder Whisper Hill Farm, and has a juvenile named New Theory (Flightline) who made headlines as a $850,000 yearling purchase by Case Clay Thoroughbred Management in the same September sale as Mendoza. Songbird produced a full-sister to the juvenile last year and has a 2026 Justify colt at foot.
1st-Churchill Downs, $117,372, Msw, 5-1, 3yo/up, f/m, 1 1/16m, 1:43.40, ft, neck.
SOARING HIGH (f, 3, Curlin–Songbird {Ch. 2-year-old Filly, Ch. 3-year-old Filly, MGISW, $4,692,000}, by Medaglia d'Oro) *$375,000 RNA Ylg '24 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-0, $69,661. O/B-Whisper Hill Farm, LLC (KY); T-Cherie DeVaux.
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What a way to start Kentucky Oaks day!!
🦅 SOARING HIGH ($10.60) wore down a game Phantom Blue in the lid lifter at @ChurchillDowns! The 3YO filly is by Curlin out of champion Songbird and is conditioned by @reredevaux! @iradortiz was up for owner/breeder @whisper_hill. pic.twitter.com/yig5LmCBAH
— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) May 1, 2026
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